This Sunday, over 14,000 registered runners will take to the streets of Tāmaki Makaurau for the 2023 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon.
New Zealand’s largest and most iconic festival of running will see runners and walkers take on one of five distances: the Barfoot & Thompson Marathon, Garmin Half Marathon, One New Zealand 11km Traverse, 5km, and the Barfoot & Thompson Kids Marathon (2.2km).
The Auckland Marathon celebrates all that is great about New Zealand’s biggest city, guiding runners through the CBD, along the waterfront, and across the iconic Harbour Bridge. All athletes will complete their journey in Victoria Park, the Auckland Marathon’s vibrant finish line in the heart of the city.
The race day atmosphere at the finish line is always electric, and this year – with the All Blacks making the Rugby World Cup Final – a big screen set up showing the game live will lift the adrenaline and excitement of the athletes and their supporters gathered at the finish venue.
Auckland Marathon Race Director, Mitch Murcott, says the team is delighted to see so many athletes continue to return to this hugely popular event, now in its 32nd edition, and is encouraging as many people as possible to head to Victoria Park on Sunday morning for a Kiwi celebration.
“For over 30 years, runners from across Aotearoa and around the world have lined up in their thousands for the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon,” said Murcott. “As well as the once-a-year opportunity to cross the Harbour Bridge on foot, people love this event for its camaraderie amongst runners, the support of locals on course and at the finish, it’s celebration of diversity and culture, and the joy of running through the streets of New Zealand’s largest city.
“We’d like to encourage Aucklanders to come down to Victoria Park on Sunday to join us in celebrating both runners in the Auckland Marathon and – hopefully – an All Blacks victory! Our finish line is known for family-friendly fun and being surrounded by thousands of athletes and their supporters celebrating the morning’s achievements coupled with the outdoor live screening of the Rugby World Cup Final, should make for great entertainment,” he said.
Athletes taking part in the marathon, half marathon and 11km Traverse will all make their way from their respective North Shore start lines along the Busway from Smales Farm Bus Station, across the Harbour Bridge, through the CBD, and for those in marathon, an out and back along Tamaki Drive.
The 5km starts in Karanga Plaza, while children aged between five to 12 years old will begin their 2.2km dash in the Kids Marathon from Fanshawe Street.
“There’s still time to join the more than 14,000 athletes already registered to run the Auckland Marathon this Sunday. Entries remain open until 5pm on Saturday 28 October, so if you don’t want to miss out on being a part of New Zealand’s biggest celebration of running then sign up today,” Murcott added.
Amongst the party, giving back to charity is an integral part of the Auckland Marathon. There are 10 official charities aligned with the event this year, with plenty more being supported by athletes through their participation. More than 9,500 donators have raised over $450,000 so far.
Auckland Marathon Official Charities
- Auckland City Mission
- Bowel Cancer New Zealand
- Cancer Society
- Gut Cancer Foundation
- I Am Hope
- Mental Health Foundation of NZ
- Mercy Hospice
- Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ
- SPCA NZ
- Starship Foundation
Heading into Sunday the Auckland Marathon team has put together some of the interesting numbers that make up this year’s event.
- Over 14,000 registered participants
- An almost even gender split, with 51% male and 49% female registered athletes
- 35 is the average age of participants
- The youngest runner is five years old, while the oldest is 85 years old
- 62% of participants are first timers to the event
- 44 nationalities are represented this year
- The most represented nations are New Zealand, Australia, United States, United Kingdom and France
- $600,000 is the target charity fundraising amount for the 2023 event
- 800 volunteers will help make the event a success
- Event media accreditation can be accessed here
For more information and last-minute entries visit the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon website: https://aucklandmarathon.co.nz
Powered by Fuseworks and Truescope - Media monitoring, insights and news distribution for New Zealand organisations.