Kirikiriroa’s river-path marathon and halfway return
The published 2026 course combines pavers, concrete paths and wooden boardwalks, with approximately 350 metres of climbing. It first heads toward Tamahere, returns through Hamilton Gardens and then continues north along the river. Treat that as a useful picture of the terrain while waiting for the next edition’s final map.
The older instructions require runners to reach Hamilton Gardens by 11:30 to continue and the final northern turnaround by 14:30. Those intermediate deadlines matter separately from an eight-hour overall limit. Check the new checkpoint table when available and assess each leg; a finish-time estimate alone may conceal an insufficient margin at halfway.
The 2026 course instructions identify a cupless event. If that remains the rule, practise using your own drinking vessel or hydration system at the aid stops. Choose footwear with which you can move comfortably across both hard paths and boardwalks, and use effort rather than forcing the same pace over every rise.
The individual marathon and the relay share the river corridor but have different responsibilities. Relay teams have two to four members, divide four legs and organise transport to their changeovers; the chip-bearing bib must reach the finish. Individual runners need their own full-distance preparation and checkpoint plan. Before booking, confirm the 2027 date, full-marathon entry, briefing time and updated route. Give supporters an agreed meeting place at Hamilton Gardens and keep access routes clear for people still racing. For a relay, agree which person carries the chip-bearing bib before the first leg and how it reaches the final runner. Do not assume every team bib records a finish.
Last-known race profile
These details identify the race page; they do not establish the next edition's operations. The previous race date does not establish the next edition. Wait for the organizer’s announcement before committing to a race-day schedule.