Full Marathon (42.2km)

The Marathon starts at 8.15am from near Longwood Lodge, 43 Richard St, Riverton.

Course follows:

  • Riverton-Invercargill Highway to Lorneville Corner
  • North Road to Bainfield Road
  • Queens Drive to Yarrow Street
  • Finishing at Surrey Park/Stadium Southland. 
  • Runners complete a full lap of the Surrey Park 400m track before finishing at the finish line.
  • Bus transport leaves Stadium Southland car park for the Marathon at 7am. Please indicate on entry form if you require a ride to the start
  • Early Start - Marathon runners with an expected time of 5 hours or more start at 6.45am from near Longwood Lodge, Riverton. Bus transport leaves Stadium Southland car park for the marathon (early start) at 6.00am. Competitors still on the course after 1.45pm, may be withdrawn to allow release traffic management and marshals.  

Course Map>>

 

Race Information 

  • Please collect race packs from:
    • Sport Southland, Stadium Southland on Friday 20th (8.30am – 7.00pm) and Saturday 21st (10.00am – 3pm) November. 
    • Ascot Park Hotel (Saturday night meal venue) 4pm - 6pm
    • On the day at the respective start areas
  • Drinks (water & Powerade) available at approx 5km intervals and sponges available past each drink station. For detailed information on the location of Drink Stations, Toilets and First Aid Stations, refer to the website or your Racepacks.
  • Gear bags can be left on buses and will be returned to Invercargill Athletics Clubrooms – Surrey Park @ Stadium Southland.
  • The briefing will be held 10mins prior to the each of the event starts.
  • Course and city maps are available here.
  • Training programme available here.

 

Race Rules

  • The race number must be worn on the front and must not have any part removed or disfigured.
  • There are no road closures and entrants must obey all road safety rules.
  • Entrants must follow instructions from marshals at all times.
  • All entrants must attend the race briefing held 10mins prior to each race start.
  • Runners must not be paced or accompanied by cyclists, vehicles or un-entered runners.
  • Runners must be aged 18 or older on race day to enter the marathon.
  • Marathon is conducted under Athletics NZ rules.   
  • For further information email: info@southlandmarathon.co.nz or phone 03 211 2150.

i-Pods & MP3 style Players

  • Due to safety reasons, competitors/participants are prohibited from using these devices during the event.

 

 

Prize Giving

Doors open and refreshments available from 12pm at the Ascot Park Hotel.

Prize giving starts at 2pm.

Spot Prizes

All participants are eligible for spot prizes but must be present at the prize giving.

Prize List

Masters runners in the marathon are eligible for one merit prize only, being that of the highest value, if successful in both masters and open categories. Masters age is 35 and above on race day.

 

1st

2nd

3rd

Marathon

 

 

 

Open Male

$3000

$1000

$500

Open Female

$3000

$1000

$500

Masters Male

$500

$200

$100

Masters Female

$500

$200

$100

 

 

 

 

Marathon Bonus Incentives - $24,000

A bonus prize of $10,000 is on offer for the first male finisher under 2:16.00 and $10,000 for the first female finisher under 2:37.00.

A further $2000 bonus is offered to both men and women who can break the respective Southland marathon records.

The mens record is 2:12.20 (set by John Campbell in 1987) and the womens record is 2:37.58 (set by Gabrielle O’Rourke in 1994).

 

$500 for Southland Marathoners

A pool of $500 has been set-aside for Southland registered athletes who break 2 hours 40 (men) and 3 hours (women) in the marathon. This pool will be shared if more than one competitor betters these times.

Southland Marathon Championships

The Southland Marathon incorporates the Southland Championships for Open Men, Open Women, Masters Men and Masters Women. Trophies and certificates will be awarded to the first three place finishers registered with the Southland Centre in each age category.

The Oldest Marathon (1909 – 2009)

The Riverton to Invercargill Marathon was first run in 1909, making it the oldest full distance marathon in the Southern Hemisphere. There were 13 starters, 7 finished. The road in those days was rough and graveled – no smooth tar seal for the runners, who also had to contend with a miserable, cold, wet, mid-winter day. For the record, the winner was David Stewart in a time of 3.22.30. Mr Stewart did not have the chance to repeat his victory as the race was next run in 1953.