Maraetai Half Marathon
Come Run the Pohutukawa Coast
Go.
Coastal.
Here.
Join us on the beautiful Pohutukawa Coast for one of New Zealand’s most captivating running events, the GJ Gardner Maraetai Half Marathon. The course hugs the coastline of this stunning part of the City of Sails and offers unsurpassed views of the vast Waitemata Harbour. Run or walk over boardwalk paths, next to stunning, serene beaches and through two hidden gem Regional Parks for a truly unique event experience.
The event is based in the enormous Te Puru park mid way between Beachlands and Maraetai. Its a 40 minute drive from the centre of Auckland city and with plentiful parking and a beach to cool off on post-race, it couldn’t be better. The signature half marathon course follows the coast along Maraetai Coast Road, passing the famous Maraetai Wharf and hidden beaches lined with Pohutukawas. A lap around stunning Duders Regional Park does include some modest elevation but, oh boy, the views make it all worthwhile. Like those in the 21k, those in the 10k will also enjoy a run through Omana Regional Park and the amazing landscaped foreshore of the Omana Esplanade. The finish line is a stone’s throw from the sparkling Waitemata Harbour, where you can cool off in the summer sunshine. All finishers will receive a beautiful commemorative medal and those in the 21k and 10k will accumulate points towards the season-long, Auckland Half Marathon Series.
We take our finisher medals seriously
The team at Running Events take the task of creating the best finisher medals in New Zealand very seriously. We want every single person who crosses the finish line and smashes their fitness goals to take home a beautiful moment of a great day out and an awesome goal acheived. If you don't believe us, take a look at last year.
Duders & Omana
Duders Regional Park may well be the most beautiful spot in our city that you’ve never even heard of. Situated on the coast road between Maraetai and Clevedon, the 200 acre park was owned by decendents of the Duder family until 1996. The park occupies an entire peninsula and continues to be a working farm with sheep and cattle roaming the hills. Beware! There is a small chance you will run directly into a cow pat as your eyes focus on the stunning views from the track! Nestled on the coast between Beachlands and Maraetai, Omana Regional Park is the second of the two beautiful regional parks we get to enjoy on this amazing journey. Omana is quite different from Duders with a well formed concrete utility path winding along the cliff edges and down to Te Puru Park.
Wear It With Pride: Event T-Shirt - $39
How do you know someone at the party has run a half-marathon? Because they'll be wearing one of our superb Maraetai Half Marathon event t-shirts. Featuring a smooth, sweat-wicking polyester weave, a super-comfortable runner's cut and awesome sublimated graphics, these tees are keepers. Order yours with your entry ticket or - if you forgot - add it on now. But hurry, numbers are strictly limited and when they're gone, they're gone!
Show me the Tee | Size Guide
This is a great event to bring the whole family along to. With race options to suit everyone, no one gets left behind. Even for those not planning to take part, there is ample chance to cheer on the runners – especially those in the 10k who pass right through the venue at the half way mark! Food and coffee vendors will be on site to keep your reserves up. Meanwhile, free activities, an adventure playground and the nearby sandy beach will keep the kids occupied.
The penultimate event in the Auckland Half Marathon Series is 100%, sure-fire, coastal stunner … we hope you can join us.
Mates.
Making.
Memories.
By The Numbers
Life's a beach and here's the numbers to prove it ...
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Important! Please familiarise yourself with our T&Cs (see below) prior to registering.
IMPORTANT
When entering one of our events, you will be required to accept our Waiver, which includes vitally important information we do not want you to miss. Above all else, you must acknowledge that your registration is non-refundable and cannot be deferred to a later edition of this event or transferred to another event (read our Refunds & Deferrals Statement). To be fair and equitable to all - we will not deviate from this position under any circumstances. You will also be acknowledging our Participation & Competition Rules including the important stipulation that - in all disputes - the Race Director's decision shall be final.
References:
- Age restrictions are calculated using the participant's age on race day.
Please also note:
- All amounts are in NZD and inclusive of GST. You will be directed to our secure online payment partner, Windcave, to complete your payment. All payments over $100 are eligible to use our "FlexiREV" facility to split your payment into 4 fortnightly installments (5% service fee applies).
Race Options
From 2k to 21k, There's a Race Option For Everyone
If you know of a more scenic, a more beutiful, a more arresting half marathon in the great city of sails, we’d like to hear about it! The Maraetai Half Maraton course is 21.1km of of Pohutukawa fringed, white-sand splendour! And the view from Duders? Just unbelievable.
START: Te Puru Park, Beachlands
FINISH: Te Puru Park, Beachlands
This is a fast and scenic course which takes in the best views offered by Omana Regional Park, Te Puru Park and Leigh Auton Reserve. The grades are very mellow so even though you have to go up and down a little bit, you’ll hardly notice!
START: Te Puru Park, Beachlands
FINISH: Te Puru Park, Beachlands
Just right for the whole family! Feel the excitement of starting under the big arch and running (or walking) around the beautiful wide footpaths of Te Puru Park and Leigh Auton Reserve. There is a modest uphill grade towards the road section – please take care on the out-and-back road section.
START: Te Puru Park, Beachlands
FINISH: Te Puru Park, Beachlands
Kids, start your engines! Flat and fast, this is high octane action for our juniors as the burn through 1000 metres of wide, safe and traffic free footpaths, then burn all the way back to the finish and an awesome finisher medal!
START: Te Puru Park, Beachlands
FINISH: Te Puru Park, Beachlands
Info Centre
Everything You Need to Know About the Maraetai Half Marathon
Race Guide
The Race Guide is our single-page, quick reference for everything you need to know to make the most of your event experience.
Keep it close by on your phone or go old-style and print it out.
Race Schedule
Don't get caught at the finish line when you should be at the start line. Here is the full run down of what's happening where and when, including those all important start times ....
Race Number Collection
Race number collection will be available from the race site Registration tent; Saturday 2pm-4pm and Sunday/Race Day from 6:00am.
Merit Awards
We have beautiful glass trophies to award to the top finishers in each race. Check out the full list on offer and - if you plan on competing hard for these - ensure you are familiar with our competition rules ....
Event T-Shirts
Superb and exclusive sublimated event tees are a steal at $39. Easily the equal of an $70 tee in the shops, we have two colourschemes and fits to suit all tastes and sizes ....
Race Number & Timing Tag
A valid race number (with timing tag on the reverse) must be worn on the front of your shirt whenever taking part in any of our events. Find out what it looks like, how to attach it and when you will receive it here ....
Aid Stations
Aid Stations are spaced approximately every 4-5km (or less). All stations offer water and sport drink whilst those after half way in the marathon also have cookies and candy. Check out the course maps in the Race Options section for exact locations ....
Finisher Medal
Every finisher - no matter the distance - will receive an stunning and exclusive event finisher medal. For the truly dedicated, this medal is part one of a five part "Grand Slam" collection for the full Auckland Half Marathon Series....
iTab Medal Insert
Immortalise your achievement with an iTab medal insert. iTab is a self-adhesive plate, accurately cut for the recess on the back of your medal. It is delivered direct to your home and shows your name, distance and time ....
Traffic Management
The safe and successful operation of the event requires some Traffic Management measures to be in place. Running Events are extremely grateful to Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and local residents for their cooperation ....
Parking
With no realistic public transport options, most people will drive to the venue. It's important to understand the best parking areas, how to find them and when you can expect them to fill up. Full details are in our handy PDF which you can download below ....
Pacers
Pacers can help you achieve your race goals by giving you a steady pace to follow and offering encouragement when you lag. We plan to have pacers in both the Half Marathon at a variety of target times. Find out more here ....
Cut-Off Times
Whilst we want to see every single person make it to the finish line and smash their fitness goals, the need to open roads, free up resources and release race marshals all require definite cut-off times to be implemented. Read about them here ...
Walkers
Walkers are made very welcome at all of our events and will often be 10% of the total field. Check out our walking guidelines with info on how to register as a walker and the competition rules ....
Regional Park Info
It's important that care is taken when using the two magnificent regional parks on the course - Duders & Omana. So please read these notes from Auckland Regional Parks ...
Safety
The safety of our participants, crew and the public is our number one concern. First, last and always. Find out more about our safety procedures and what to expect at our events here ...
Past Events
We've created thousands of special memories at the Maraetai Half Marathon. Here are some of them ...
Results
How did you do?
Event Recaps
Check out photo galleries, videos, medal designs from previous events.
