Date: 24 January 2026
Location: Gisborne, New Zealand

Overview

The First Light Marathon is held in Gisborne, renowned as the first city in the world to greet the sun each day. This race features a picturesque route with a blend of coastal views and lush green hills, providing a stunning setting for participants.

Course Details

Starting Point: All races begin at Midway Beach.
Marathon and Half Marathon: Participants will initially navigate through the city, encountering a series of short, steep hills. The course includes a mix of single-track trails, roads, and off-road surfaces. Marathon entrants will extend their route to Wainui Beach, running approximately 1km alongside the ocean, before returning to the challenging hill climbs leading back to the finish line in Gisborne.
6km Event: This shorter route features a flat loop around Gisborne, concluding with a scenic finish along the boardwalk in front of the Midway Surf Club.

Organizer

The event is organized by Albatros Adventure Marathons and is open to both international and New Zealand participants.

Quick Filters

New Zealand Running Events & Race Calendar 2025-2026

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Quick Filters

New Zealand Running Events & Race Calendar 2025-2026

Subscribe to NZ Running Newsletter