Facts and Figures from 30 Years of the Auckland Marathon
There are now just three days to go until thousands of athletes run the city for the Auckland Marathon, taking place this Sunday.
In the final installment of our delve into the 30-year history of the Auckland Marathon, we take a look at some intriguing facts and figures and chart the event’s major milestones.
Auckland Marathon by Numbers
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Over 250,000 participants (a quarter of a million) have taken part in the Auckland Marathon since 1992.
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Around 5,250,000km have been covered by Auckland Marathon participants. That’s nearly the distance of 14 trips from the Earth to the Moon.
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Since 1992, the Auckland Marathon has injected nearly $100 million into the local economy.
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Since 2014, Auckland Marathon participants have raised nearly $7million for charities.
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Over 20,000 volunteers have helped to make the Auckland Marathon a success for 30 years.
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Nearly 500,000 litres of water have hydrated participants as they’ve run the city.
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Over 100,000 litres of electrolyte drinks have helped propel athletes to the finish line.
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Over 450,000 bananas have been provided to energise competitors on course.
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Nearly 300,000 road cones have been set up over the years to guide participants through the streets of Auckland.
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Nearly 3,500 medical staff have kept athletes safe since 1992.
Milestone Timeline
1992 - The Citibank Auckland International Marathon was the first event to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The event recorded 2,542 finishers.
1993 – Kerry and Raewyn Rodger created history when they won their respective sections of the 1993 Citibank Auckland International Marathon. It was the first time in New Zealand that a husband and wife had won the marathon on the same day, over the same course.
1994 – The YMCA Marathon Club established the BMW Auckland Marathon, which comprised two laps along the Tamaki Drive Waterfront. It was also the year the half marathon distance was introduced to the event.
2000 – The BMW Auckland Marathon resurrected the Auckland Harbour Bridge crossing. The move helped entries jump from 2,200 in 1999 to close to 7,500. With a 5,000-entry limit 2,500 had to be turned away.
2004 – The finish was moved to Fanshawe Street adjacent to Victoria Park. The “Party in the Park” is launched and 20,000 people fill the park to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
2006 – In keeping with the ethos of the marathon, the 10km is replaced by a quarter-marathon. The marathon course is officially measured.
2008 – A Kids Marathon is also introduced.
2009 – The Auckland Marathon strengthens its relationship with the Gold Coast and Tokyo Marathons. This helped boost international interest in the race with significant numbers of Japanese tour groups attracted to the race.
2014 – IRONMAN acquired the Auckland Marathon and welcomed ASB on board as title partner. The quarter marathon route was altered to enable participants to cross the bridge as part of their course.
2017 – The finish line is moved from Fanshawe Street and into the centre of Victoria Park.
2018 – A wheelchair category is introduced to the Auckland Marathon.
2020 – The 29th edition of the event was notable for being one of the only large marathons in the world that was held during a time when many other countries were suffering through the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
2022 – Postponed from its original date of 31 October 2021, the Auckland Marathon celebrates its 30th anniversary on 23 January 2022. Barfoot & Thompson step up to title partner of the Auckland Marathon as of the 2022 edition on 30 October.
