Record Turnout, Triumphant Victories At Christchurch Marathon

The Christchurch Marathon’s biggest event to date brought the central city streets alive today, with a record 8,479 participants across all race categories and a projected $3 million boost to the local economy.

Runners, walkers and wheelers took to the course as early drizzle cleared to reveal near-perfect running conditions, with strong spectator support lining the route.

In the Christchurch Marathon’s women’s race, Dunedin’s Becky Aitkenhead claimed victory in her debut marathon, crossing the line in 02:38:14 with her one-year-old watching from the sidelines.

“It was overwhelming. I was quite emotional and at a loss for words. I think you never want to think about the finish line until it’s there. It was pretty surreal.”

Natasha Richards and Katherine Camp placed second and third respectively.

In the men’s marathon, 25-year-old Taishiro Kawano secured the title, crossing the line at 02:24:19

After coming to New Zealand a couple of months ago for a training camp, he felt drawn to the race, and after returning briefly to Japan, he boarded a flight back to make it to the start line.

“I wanted to come back and see how good my training was. It was a really nice flat course. Of course I’m feeling really good.”

Seven-time national champion Toby Gualter was another standout, taking out the MW Traffic Management Half Marathon in a time of 01:03:15.

Event numbers 

Race Director Chris Cox says the fact that the event has more than doubled in size in the past three years can be put down to the growing reputation of the Christchurch Marathon as a world-class running and spectator event.

“We’ve seen incredible growth over the past few years, and that comes down to the experience we’re delivering. It’s a fast, accessible course, but it’s also an event that people genuinely enjoy being part of, whether they’re chasing a personal best or just taking part.”

This year’s event features participants from 36 countries (up from 22 in 2024 and 24 in 2025), with 40% travelling from outside Christchurch City.

The event is expected to generate more than $3 million in visitor spending.

“You can’t beat Christchurch in Autumn. The course, the conditions, the scenery. It’s been incredible to watch the city come to life as runners, walkers and wheelers take to the streets,” says Cox.

The course features a mix of iconic Christchurch landmarks, including One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, Te Pae and the Bridge of Remembrance.

“Judging by the turnout of both runners and supporters today, people love it,” says Cox.

“We’re enormously grateful to our community of volunteers, sponsors and the Christchurch City Council. It’s a team effort at the end of the day and we couldn’t be happier with the result.”

MW Traffic Management Half Marathon results

With 4,309 entrants, the MW Traffic Management Half Marathon was the event’s largest category.

Gualter’s winning time of 01:03:15 shaved 15 seconds off his 2025 performance, with the Wellington athlete securing his seventh national title.

“I was really happy to get the win here today - that was the main focus. It was a gutsy run, but I felt really good. Having so many people cheering you on, you don’t really get that anywhere else in New Zealand.”

The race doubled as the Athletics New Zealand National Half Marathon Championships, attracting top talent from across the country, with Christopher Dryden and Isaac Murphy placing second and third respectively.

In the women’s race, Laura Nagel claimed victory in 1:13:44, ahead of Bara Styblova and Arleah Tippins.

“I didn’t know there was anyone in front of me until the second lap, and then I could see her in the distance. I knew I had time to catch her, but I didn’t want to push it too early,” Nagel says.

She made her move with 2km to go, surging into the lead and claiming the win.

Formthotics 10km results

20-year-old Bridie Restieaux from Christchurch was first across the line in the Women’s 10 km with a personal best time of 37:53.

“It was great conditions and a great atmosphere to be out there in the city with so many people supporting and a great group of people to run with.”

Oska Baynes from Christchurch secured the men’s 10km title, in a time of 32:36.

In high spirts post run, Baynes said his favourite part of the event is the people.

“It’s pretty amazing, you definitely feel the collective energy and excitement that comes from having that many people about.”

$34,748.71 raised for Bone Marrow Cancer Trust

It wasn’t just runners celebrating at the finish line.

Now in its third year, the event’s partnership with the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust continues to make a meaningful difference for patients and their families travelling to Christchurch for life-saving medical treatment.

Through Rānui House & Apartments, the Trust provides them with a home away from home close to Christchurch Hospitals.

Taking part in the ‘Run for Rānui’, fundraisers raised a total of $26,769.71 (as at 11:30am) for the charity plus an additional donation of $8,479 from the Event.

“It's been amazing to see so many people step up to the start line for us. Their incredible fundraising means more families can stay together at Rānui during one of the hardest times of their lives. Having that homeawayfromhome makes a real difference, because we know that when families are together, they heal faster,” says Trust CEO Mandy Kennedy.

People wanting to support the Run for Rānui fundraiser can still do so, online: https://christchurchmarathon26.grassrootz.com/bone-marrow-cancer-trust/donate

2026 Christchurch Marathon Results

Formthotics 10KM

Men’s

Women’s

MW Traffic Management Half-Marathon

Men’s

Women’s

Christchurch Marathon

Men’s

Women’s

Wheelchair Marathon

Wheelchair Half Marathon

About the Christchurch Marathon

Established in the late-1970s, the Christchurch Marathon was inspired by the 1974 Commonwealth Games. For more than 30 years the Christchurch Marathon has run on the same course, albeit with a temporary change in location after the 2011 earthquakes. It returned to the CBD in 2015, and in 2023 the event shifted its focus to a multi-lap format, starting and finishing in Hagley Park.

For the full marathon, Tom Birnie from Christchurch still holds the record after completing the race in a time of 2:15:12 in 1985. Naenai Sasaki from Japan holds the female record with a time of 2:35:00.

The event now revolves around a 10km lap in the CBD that highlights iconic landmarks such as Canterbury Museum, Cambridge Terrace, Oxford Terrace, the Avon River, Bridge of Remembrance, and the Te Pae Convention Centre.

© Scoop Media