Course Map
About this Race
The Christchurch Marathon is a flat, fast course through the rebuilt South Island city, tracing the leafy Hagley Park, the gentle Avon, and the regenerated streets on largely level roads. The forgiving profile makes it a reasonable personal-best target. Held in a cool window, it offers crisp conditions well suited to racing. The parkland and riverside scenery define the day. It suits the PB chaser who wants a fast, pleasant New Zealand race in a cool-weather window without big-event scale.
Course Insight
Christchurch is a flat, fast marathon through the rebuilt New Zealand city and its parkland, quick and runnable on level ground. The flatness leaves pacing discipline to you on the open early miles. Mild conditions suit fast running. The green Hagley Park sections are pleasant. Pace it evenly and the level course delivers the time you trained for.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to very flat, lots of turns.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 24m
- Elevation loss
- 10m
- Highest point
- 14m
- Lowest point
- 7m
- Net elevation
- +14m
- Start
- North Hagley Park, Christchurch.
- Cutoff time
- 6h 30m
Race History
The Christchurch Marathon grew into its modern form decades ago, a flat, fast course through the South Island city tracing the leafy Hagley Park, the gentle Avon, and the regenerated streets. Its forgiving profile and cool conditions made it a reasonable personal-best target. Over the years it became the region's signature marathon. It remains a fast, pleasant New Zealand race in a cool-weather window.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Christchurch (CHC)
- Best area to stay
- The CBD for proximity to the route and full hotels, Riccarton for value stays near Hagley Park, and Sumner for scenic seaside options.
- Getting to the start
- The start is at Hagley Park/the centre; walk from CBD hotels, as it's a compact central course.