Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon Returns

Runners from across New Zealand and around the world are putting the finishing touches to their preparations ahead of the 2022 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon this weekend.

Over 14,000 athletes will run the city on Sunday 30 October, making the 2022 Auckland Marathon the biggest mass participation event in New Zealand since 2019.

With global travel back up and running, the Auckland Marathon is set to welcome athletes from around the world for the first time in almost three years. Participants have entered from nearly 30 countries with Australia, Brazil, France, Great Britain, India, Singapore and the United States among those represented.

Amy MacCormack, Regional Director for The IRONMAN Group Oceania, organisers of the Auckland Marathon, said it’s exciting to see the event return to its full glory.

“We can’t wait to welcome over 14,000 athletes from near and afar back to Auckland for Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest and most iconic running event,” said MacCormack.

“After three COVID-affected years, the Auckland Marathon team is excited to deliver the event as participants and spectators know and love it. The event brings thousands out onto the streets of Auckland to support our runners and walkers and this year we’re looking forward to a packed-out finish line at Victoria Park where athletes can bask in their achievements surrounded by their friends and whānau,” she said.

The Auckland Marathon celebrates all that is great about New Zealand’s biggest city, guiding runners through the CBD, along the waterfront, and across the iconic Harbour Bridge.

Athletes taking part in the Barfoot & Thompson Marathon, Half Marathon and John West 11km Traverse will all make their way from their respective North Shore start lines along the Busway from Smales Farm Bus Station, across the Harbour Bridge and to the finish in Victoria Park.

Returning for October’s event are the NZ Avocado 5km and the Barfoot & Thompson Kids Marathon.

For some runners and walkers taking part in one of the five distances at the Auckland Marathon, there is an added incentive on race day – taking part to raise money and awareness for charity.

There are 10 official charities aligned with the event and those participating on their behalf are known as Charity Superstars. Over 9,000 donators have raised nearly $430,000 so far.

Official Charities

• Gut Cancer Foundation
• Mental Health Foundation of NZ
• Cancer Society
• Starship Foundation
• KidsCan
• Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ
• Auckland City Mission
• Fred Hollows Foundation NZ
• HELP
• SPCA NZ

Athlete Stories
Every athlete has their reason for running and a story to tell. We’ve pulled out just a few of these below for some added inspiration.

• Kiri Price (54) – an Auckland running coach set to complete her 200th marathon while raising money for the Gut Cancer Foundation after watching friends and family affected by cancer
• George Strang (24) – two years ago George was diagnosed with a brain tumour that nearly cost him his life. After a challenging 2021, this is the year George signals his recovery and ticks a half marathon off his bucket list
• Hannah Paterson (31) – at just 31 years old, primary school teacher Hannah experienced a stroke during a reading group in her classroom. She is running for the Stroke Foundation
• Ashleigh Williams (27) – a former competitive triathlete, Ash has been through a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with cancer and is out to prove that she is made of tough stuff. She is running the marathon to raise money for the Cancer Society
• Katrina Shaw (47) – Katrina is part of ‘Emma’s Village’, a group of friends putting away their wine glasses and lacing up their trainers to take on the half marathon to raise funds for Emma and her family after she suffered a major stroke earlier this year