New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty Queenstown Marathon
The Lowdown
The New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Queenstown Marathon is a long-established and celebrated autumn event in New Zealand’s adventure capital, first run in the 1990s and grown into one of the most scenic road marathons in the Southern Hemisphere. Held on 14 November 2026 with an 08:20 start, the race draws a mix of elite athletes, serious club runners, and international destination runners who come for both the competition and the spectacular surroundings. The event is steeped in local support and tourism-friendly organization, showcasing the region’s hospitality with expo events, community festivities, and post-race celebrations in central Queenstown. The course winds along pristine sections of Lake Wakatipu and through the picturesque Queenstown Gardens, with sweeping views of the Remarkables mountain range and the lake’s mirror-like waters providing constant visual rewards. Runners experience a varied route that combines flat, fast lakeside running with gentle rolling sections through parkland and quiet residential areas, making it both scenic and runnable for a wide range of abilities. Aid stations, enthusiastic roadside supporters, and live music at select points create a lively, festival-like atmosphere that blends the serious focus of marathon racing with Queenstown’s adventurous, celebratory spirit. The race course is AIMS/Athletics New Zealand certified and has historically been accepted as a Boston Marathon qualifying course, making it attractive for athletes chasing qualifying times as well as those pursuing personal bests or a memorable destination marathon. Overall, the Queenstown Marathon offers a world-class, well-supported race experience in one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
Lake Wakatipu,
Queenstown Gardens,
Skyline Queenstown,
Arrowtown
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Queenstown, New Zealand
NZ
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Must be at least 18 years old on race day to register for the full marathon
- All participants must complete online registration and sign the race waiver
- Photo ID required to pick up race bib and packet
- Participants with pre-existing medical conditions are advised to obtain medical clearance before racing
- No headphones that impede race marshal/traffic instructions are allowed (earbuds with open-ear designs may be permitted at organizer discretion)
- Strollers, pets, and inline skates are not permitted on the marathon course
- Participants must obey all race rules, traffic control, and marshal directions
- Wheelchair and handcycle athletes must register in the appropriate division and notify race officials in advance
- All runners must finish within the official course time limit to receive an official finish time and medal
- Bibs are non-transferable; transferring a bib may result in disqualification and bans from future events
Required Documents
- Government-issued Photo ID
- Signed Race Waiver / Liability Release
- Proof of Age (birth certificate or photo ID)
- Emergency Contact Information
Entry Methods
- Online through official portal
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Full refund until 60 days before the race (by 2026-09-15)
50% refund for cancellations between 59 and 30 days before the race (2026-09-16 to 2026-10-15)
No refund for cancellations within 30 days of the race (after 2026-10-15)
Deferral to the next year's event allowed with a NZD 25 admin fee if requested at least 14 days before the race (by 2026-10-31)
Bib transfers to another registered runner allowed up to 14 days before the race (by 2026-10-31) with notification and admin fee
Medical deferral or credit issued if supplied with a medical certificate; must be requested before race day
If the organiser cancels the in-person event, entrants will be offered either a full refund or automatic deferral to the next staged event
Prices in NZD
Starting point for Marathon: The Avenue, Millbrook Resort
Queenstown is known as the "Adventure Capital of the World," offering activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, and jet boating.
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.