Buller Gorge Marathon
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Buller Gorge Marathon
The Buller Gorge Marathon is an athletic event held in the Buller region of New Zealand. The course follows the scenic Buller Gorge Highway, characterized by a narrow road with a large number of bends and views of the Buller River. The event features several distances and participation modes:
- Full Marathon: A 42.2 km course starting at Hawks Crag, heading up the gorge to a turning point near Berlin’s, and finishing at Victoria Square in Westport.
- Half Marathon: A 21.1 km one-way run or walk starting near the Ohikaiti River Bridge and winding down towards Westport.
- 10 km Fun Run / Walk: Known as the Buller Heritage 10, this course utilizes the Kawatiri Coastal Trail, featuring flat gravel paths, timber boardwalks, and bridges.
- Team Relay: A marathon-distance event for teams of four, following the same route as the full marathon with designated changeover points.
The marathon and half marathon courses are undulating and include three notable hills at Tiroroa, Ohikaiti, and Omanu, with the largest climb reaching 35 m in elevation. Participants for the full and half marathon are transported to their respective start lines by bus from Victoria Square.
Drink stations are positioned at regular intervals, specifically at the 4, 8, 12, 16, 20.5, 25, 29, 33, 36, and 40 km marks. The organizers provide gear bag transport from the start lines back to the finish area. For safety, participants must run on the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic. Official time-keeping for the event concludes in the early afternoon. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
