Marathon
Distance: 42.2km
Start time: 7:00am (a 6:00am start is possible by arrangement for marathon runners)
Briefing: 6:50am
Course
Important notice: With the rebuilding of the stop bank north of Melling (Mills Street stopbank/) we have to modify the half marathon and full marathon courses for 2024.
Start on Marine Parade outside Race HQ and head towards the river. Make a left turn onto Hikoikoi footpath until you reach Waione Street. Turn right on to the footpath and just before the bridge go down the ramp leading to the subway under the Waione Street pipe bridge. Follow the track straight ahead and then right on to the stop bank. Follow the stop-bank (which goes through Shandon golf course) until it reaches Bracken Street. Cross Bracken Street and then follow the path around the edge of Sladden Park.
Go under the Ava Rail Bridge and follow the gravel path straight ahead. Pass under the Ewen Bridge and continue up the western side of the river, taking the ramp on the left to run on top of the stop bank (the asphalt path). Continue under Melling Bridge and follow asphalt road towards the Kennedy Good Bridge (KGB). Just before the KGB join the gravel Hutt River Trail which goes under the KGB and between Belmont Domain and the river. Continue until the turn-around approximately 200m north of Belmont domain. Return the way you came staying on that side of the river until you reach Ewen Bridge.
Cross Ewen Bridge and turn left on to the stopbank heading north. Stay on top of the stopbank until you reach Melling Bridge/Harvey Norman (take care crossing two car park entrance roads). Turn left down the path just before Melling Bridge (where there is a drink stop) and then turn left and go south along the trail, passing under the Ewen Bridge and Ava Rail Bridge and then under the Waione Street pipe bridge on the boardwalk. Take a hard left up on to the Waione Street bridge and continue across the bridge towards Petone and along the footpath until you turn left on to the gravel path (where you previously ran at the start). Where the path meets Marine Parade go straight ahead until you turn right onto the track and then along the stopbank to the end of McEwan Park. Turn back on the park towards the finish line.
Continue past the finish line as the start of your second lap. Cones will take you alongside the Rugby League Clubrooms and then beside the tennis courts onto Marine Parade and then do it all again to the finish.