First Light Marathon
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
About the race
The First Light Marathon is an adventure marathon held in Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Aotearoa New Zealand. The event offers three distances:
- 42.195 km Marathon
- 21.097 km Half Marathon
- 6 km Fun Run
The course starts and finishes by the boardwalk next to Midway Surf Life Saving Club in Awapuni, Gisborne, and includes grassy hills, dirt roads, single track trails, white sand and some pavement. Total elevation gain for the marathon is 1206 m. The route is marked with small flags, arrows and kilometre signs, and water stations are placed at approximately every 4 kilometres offering water and energy drinks; one station on the marathon course also serves gels.
Max participants are 500. Time limits are 8 hours for all distances, with a 4 hour cut off at 21 km on the marathon course; runners not past that point will be transported back to the finish area. Age limits are 18 years for the marathon and 16 years for the half marathon. Nordic walking and trekking poles are not allowed.
A local medical team will be on site and can stop runners for health reasons. The race is timed with a timing chip and all finishers receive a medal. International runners must register via the tour package while local entry is available separately. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.