Brigid Dennehy in a Course Record and Daniel Balchin Win 2025 Auckland Marathon Titles
Auckland’s Brigid Dennehy broke the longstanding women’s course record by more than three minutes on her way to back-to-back titles, while Otago’s Daniel Balchin returned to the top step of the podium for the second time in the 34th edition of the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon presented by ASICS.
Dennehy flew around the 42.2km Auckland course in 02:38:10 – a time three minutes and 19 seconds faster than the previous course record which has stood since 2012. The Auckland-based Irish runner secured her second Auckland Marathon title on the bounce after winning on debut last year.
“It means a lot to win again, especially with Auckland being a home course and the home crowd out there, it's very special,” said Dennehy. “It all went to plan, I had two amazing pacers, Jono and Luke, out there and the group that was running with us – we all worked together, so it was definitely a team effort out there.
“Excellent conditions, little bit of a breeze, it got hot towards the end. We couldn't have asked for a better day,” she said. “It was great to have the course record as a target. The record's stood since 2012 I think, so I'm pretty happy to have got that record.”
Such was the dominance of Dennehy, second place finisher Alice Mason – returning to the marathon distance for the first time since her 2023 Auckland Marathon win – was 10 minutes behind in 2:48:11. Odette Jennings rounded out the women’s podium in 2:52:36.
In the men’s race, Daniel Balchin backed up his 2023 victory with a second win in Tāmaki Makaurau. After being edged out in a sprint finish last year, Balchin was determined to not leave his kick to the final few metres this time around – running away with the win with time to spare in 2:19:55.
A sprint finish did eventuate behind him however, with Rotorua’s Michael Voss just pipping Aucklander Cam Graves to the line. Voss finished in 2:21:01, with Graves a mere three seconds behind.
“I’m absolutely stoked, the Auckland Marathon is the biggest and most competitive marathon in New Zealand so it’s awesome to have another title to my name,” said Balchin. “I got second last year, so I really wanted to get across the line first. Solid pack of runners, it was awesome to take it out today.”
Balchin had a plan and stuck to it, running with the front group for the majority of the race before he surged away over the final few kilometres.
“The pack stayed together for 30, 35 kilometres and then I put in a bit of surge, got a gap, and just kept it rolling. It was nice coming into the finish not having to have a sprint finish this year,” said Balchin.
“Out of the four times I’ve done this race, this year has had the best conditions yet. I certainly made the most of the conditions in the back half of the race,” he said. “The Auckland Harbour Bridge was awesome views today. I turned left to take a look when I went over it, that was awesome.”
The Wheelchair Marathon titles were won by Australia’s Michael Taylor in 1:29:00 and Kiwi Sally Barkman in 1:53:41. For the first time at the event a Wheelchair Half Marathon was introduced, with Tracy Garman taking out the top honours in 1:02:59.
In the Garmin Half Marathon, Lisa Cross once again proved unbeatable – securing her fourth Auckland Half Marathon title in 1:15:28. She finished a minute ahead of Czech runner Bara Styblova in 1:16:26, with last year’s winner Katrina Andrew finishing third in 1:16:54.
“It was good, just a really nice race that was enjoyable. Perfect weather, no wind, it was awesome. I didn’t have a race plan today, I was just going to run. It felt good so I kicked on,” said Cross. “Support out on course was really good, especially round under the bridge before you go over. It’s awesome to have people out there supporting!”
In the men’s half marathon, Christopher Dryden was delighted to finally break the tape after finishing second and third on previous occasions. Dryden completed the 21.1km course in 1:05:24, just over two minutes faster than Japan’s Shotaro Maruyama in 01:07:31, with Julian Oakley just six seconds behind in third.
“I’m feeling pretty good, I’ve had a great week. This was kind of a training session today – I’ve got a big marathon coming up,” said Dryden. “I won’t lie, I came here to win. I’ve come second and third a few times here so it’s just nice to win a big half marathon. I’m stoked.”
2025 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon Presented by ASICS – Results
Barfoot & Thompson Marathon – Women
1. Brigid Dennehy (Auckland) – 02:38:10
2. Alice Mason (Wellington) – 02:48:11
3. Odette Jennings (Auckland) – 02:52:36
Barfoot & Thompson Marathon – Men
1. Daniel Balchin (Alexandra) – 02:19:55
2. Michae Voss (Rotorua) – 02:21:01
3. Cam Graves (Auckland) – 02:21:04
Garmin Half Marathon – Women
1. Lisa Cross (Auckland) – 01:15:28
2. Bara Styblova (Czech Republic) – 01:16:26
3. Katrina Andrew (Auckland) – 01:16:54
Garmin Half Marathon – Men
1. Christopher Dryden (Christchurch) – 01:05:24
2. Shotaro Maruyama (Japan) – 01:07:31
3. Julian Oakley (Tauranga) – 01:07:37
