Christchurch Marathon
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.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
Hagley Park
Christchurch Town Hall
Canterbury Museum
Avon River
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Park Terrace (Armagh Street end) to Hagley Park North, Christchurch, New Zealand
NZ
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Minimum age 18 on race day for the Marathon distance
Required Documents
- Photo ID may be required at bib/timing-chip collection (standard practice for this event; not explicitly re-confirmed for the 2027 edition at time of authoring)
Entry Methods
- Online registration via the Event Plus platform (eventplus.net/CM26)
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 were not yet published at time of authoring.
Course certified to World Athletics (IAAF) and AIMS standard; 100% sealed road and park paths
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
Boston Marathon qualifier status not confirmed on official site as of authoring; not asserted
Entries for the 2027 edition had not yet opened at time of authoring (opens 16 July 2026); this draft is authored 10 July 2026, six days ahead of that date
Training for this race?
Track your training, follow a plan, and prepare for race day with MarathonOS.
Scan to download
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.