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Christchurch Marathon

April 18, 2027 · 7:30 AMChristchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Race snapshot

Race Day

54°F

52–63°F · Feels cool

Total elevation gain

98ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +0 ft

Participants

7,015

Large field

Crowd Rating

6/ 10

Good crowd energy

Entry

Opening Soon

Marathon Entry - Super Early Bird

NZ$139

Super Early Bird pricing, available 16 July to 5 November 2026 (only tier published so far; subsequent tiers have not yet been announced). Prices are inclusive of GST and transaction fees. Previous-year participants receive a loyalty code for 20% off this rate, valid until 13 August 2026.

Official Website

Key Dates

1. Entries Open
  Jul 16, 2026
  Registration for the 2027 Christchurch Marathon opens; Super Early Bird pricing begins.
1. Loyalty Discount Deadline
  Aug 13, 2026
  Last day for previous-year participants to redeem their 20%-off loyalty code against the Super Early Bird price.
2. Super Early Bird Deadline
  Nov 5, 2026
  Last day of the $139 NZD Super Early Bird marathon entry price.
3. Race Weekend Expo & Bib Collection
  Apr 17, 2027
  Mandatory event expo and timing-chip/bib collection at Hagley Park ahead of race day.
4. Race Day - Marathon
  Apr 18, 2027
  Christchurch Marathon, four-lap central-city course starting on Park Terrace and finishing at the Hagley Park North Special Events Area.

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The Lowdown

The Christchurch Marathon (currently title-sponsored as the ASICS Christchurch Marathon) is New Zealand's flat, fast urban marathon, run as four 10.5km laps of a central-city circuit through Hagley Park, past the Christchurch Town Hall, Canterbury Museum, and along the Avon River. Founded in 1981 by Don Cameron and the Long Distance Running Club of New Zealand, the event's traditional Commonwealth Games-era course was devastated by the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, forcing temporary relocations to Lincoln University (2011) and Christchurch Airport (2012). The race returned to its central-city home at the Christchurch Town Hall in 2019 and now runs a course closely mirroring the pre-earthquake route. The 2025 edition drew an unprecedented 7,015 finishers across all race categories (marathon, half marathon, 10km, and youth/kids events). The course is certified to World Athletics (IAAF) and AIMS standard.

Minimum Age: 18 years
Entry Methods: Online registration via the Event Plus platform (eventplus.net/CM26)
Eligibility: Minimum age 18 on race day for the Marathon distance
Required Documents: Photo ID may be required at bib and timing-chip collection
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Prior editions offered a 50% refund if requested well ahead of race day, with no refunds close to the event. Processing fees and charitable donations are non-refundable.
Exact 2027 cancellation deadlines have not been published yet.

01: Course certified to World Athletics (IAAF) and AIMS standard; 100% sealed road and park paths
02: Event survived and was relocated twice after the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence (Lincoln University in 2011, Christchurch Airport outskirts in 2012) before returning to the central-city Town Hall course in 2019
03: Boston Marathon qualifier status is not confirmed on the official site.
04: Entries for the 2027 edition open July 16, 2026.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, cool weather Difficulty Analyzer98ft gain, 54°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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