About the GJ Gardner Maraetai Half Marathon

Take in the complete majestic glory of the Pohutukawa Coast!

Join us on the beautiful Pohutukawa Coast for one of New Zealand’s most captivating running events, the GJ Gardner Maraetai Half Marathon. The course hugs the coastline of this stunning part of the City of Sails and offers unsurpassed views of the vast Waitemata Harbour. Run or walk over boardwalk paths, next to stunning, serene beaches and through two hidden gem Regional Parks for a truly unique event experience.

The event is based in the enormous Te Puru park mid way between Beachlands and Maraetai. Its a 40 minute drive from the centre of Auckland city and with plentiful parking and a beach to cool off on post-race, it couldn’t be better. The signature half marathon course follows the coast along Maraetai Coast Road, passing the famous Maraetai Wharf and hidden beaches lined with Pohutukawas. A lap around stunning Duders Regional Park does include some modest elevation but, oh boy, the views make it all worthwhile. Like those in the 21k, those in the 10k will also enjoy a run through Omana Regional Park and the amazing landscaped foreshore of the Omana Esplanade. The finish line is a stone’s throw from the sparkling Waitemata Harbour, where you can cool off in the summer sunshine. All finishers will receive a beautiful commemorative medal and those in the 21k and 10k will accumulate points towards the season-long, Mizuno Auckland Half Marathon Series.

Duders Regional Park
Duders Regional Park may well be the most beautiful spot in our city that you’ve never even heard of. Situated on the coast road between Maraetai and Clevedon, the 200 acre park was owned by decendents of the Duder family until 1996. The park occupies an entire peninsula and continues to be a working farm with sheep and cattle roaming the hills. Beware! There is a small chance you will run directly into a cow pat as your eyes focus on the stunning views from the track!

Omana Regional Park
Nestled on the coast between Beachlands and Maraetai, Omana Regional Park is the second of the two beautiful regional parks we get to enjoy on this amazing journey. Omana is quite different from Duders with a well formed concrete utility path winding along the cliff edges and down to Te Puru Park.

Spectator Friendly
This is a great event to bring the whole family along to. With race options to suit everyone, no one gets left behind. Even for those not planning to take part, there is ample chance to cheer on the runners – especially those in the 10k who pass right through the venue at the half way mark! Food and coffee vendors will be on site to keep your reserves up. Meanwhile, free activities, an adventure playground and the nearby sandy beach will keep the kids occupied.

The penultimate event in the Auckland Half Marathon Series is 100%, sure-fire, coastal stunner … we hope you can join us.

21km
10km
5km
2km

Enter Now

Let’s do this! Sign up for the GJ Gardner Maraetai Half Marathon here …

Entry Fees

Half Marathon

$7500

10km Classic

$5500

5km Run/Walk

$4000

2km Kids' Dash

$2500

IMPORTANT COVID-19 CONTINGENCY INFORMATION

In these uncertain times, Running Events are doing everything we possibly can to ensure our events can go ahead. Based on the current information (which changes, like, *all* the time!), we can only proceed with a series event when Auckland is at Level 1 (i.e. no limits on mass gatherings). To give us the best possible chance to produce the events, we have booked contingency dates in addition to the original event date. We will publish details of these if/when they are required. If we do postpone any event – and you can’t make the new date – you’ll be able to transfer your entry or compete virtually (and receive an entry fee credit). Full details will appear here if needed.
Current Status: WE ARE 100% ON FOR 14 MARCH 2021.

REGISTER NOW!

Race Information

A comprehensive guide to the GJ Gardner Maraetai Half Marathon.

Sponsors

IMPORTANT COVID-19 CONTINGENCY INFORMATION

In these uncertain times, Running Events are doing everything we possibly can to ensure our events can go ahead. Based on the current information (which changes, like, *all* the time!), we can only proceed with a series event when Auckland is at Level 1 (i.e. no limits on mass gatherings). To give us the best possible chance to produce the events, we have booked contingency dates in addition to the original event date. We will publish details of these if/when they are required. If we do postpone any event – and you can’t make the new date – you’ll be able to transfer your entry or compete virtually (and receive an entry fee credit). Full details will appear here if needed.
Current Status: WE ARE 100% ON FOR 14 MARCH 2021.

Race Day: Sunday, 14 March 2021

Race Day
14 March 2021
0
0
0
Weeks
0
0
0
0
Days
0
0
Hrs
0
0
Min
0
0
Sec

Start Times

0am
Half Marathon Start – 7:30am
0am
10k Start – 8:00am
0am
5K Fun Run Start – 9:30am
0am
Kids Dash Start – 10:30am

Race Guide

The Race Guide is a comprehensive document in PDF format which you can download and store on your smart device – or go old school and print it out. It contains a summary of all the important information to make sure you get the most out of your event experience.

2021 GUIDE RELEASED 7 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT

Important Dates

Date Details
09 Nov 2020 Online registration opens.
13 Dec 2020 Super-Early entry rates expire.
17 Jan 2021 Earlybird entry rates expire.
14 Feb 2021 Last chance to claim free delivery of your race number.
07 Mar 2021 Family entry packages expire.
08 Mar 2021 Race Week entry rates apply.
13 Mar 2021 4-5pm: Pre-race registration at the event venue.
14 Mar 2021 Race Day!

Race Day Schedule

Time Details
6:00am Late entry & race day registration opens
7:15am Compulsory race briefing – 21K
7:20am Warm Up at Main Stage
7:30am RACE START Half Marathon (Runners & Hybrids)
7:33am RACE START Half Marathon (Competitive Walk)
7:45am Compulsory race briefing – 10K
7:50am Warm Up at Main Stage
8:00am RACE START 10K & 15K (Runners & Hybrids)
8:03am RACE START 10K Classic (Competitive Walk)
9:15am Compulsory race briefing – 5K
9:20am Warm Up at Main Stage
9:30am RACE START 5K
10:15am Compulsory race briefing – 2K
10:20am Warm Up at Main Stage
10:30am RACE START 2K
11:00am Awards ceremony and spot prizes
11:30am CLOSE Event Concludes

Start Line Congestion

Start lines will stay open for up to 15 minutes (up to 5 minutes for 5K and kids dash) after the official start time to allow those who want to keep their distance from others. Your official time will not start until your cross the timing mats. Time limits and course management (ie. road closures, marshals, etc) adhere to the original start time.

Hand Sanitiser

Hand sanitiser will be readily available at the refueling station, registration, gear drop and waste stations areas. Please help yourself as often as needed.

Important!  Please do not attend if you:

  • are unwell
  • are a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19
  • are waiting for a test result for COVID-19
  • are self-isolating.

Continue to practice good hygiene. This means:

  • Keeping 2 metres away from people you don’t know
  • Covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or coughing/sneezing into your elbow
  • Disposing of used tissues appropriately in a bin
  • Using the hand sanitiser located around the event site:
    • before eating or handling food
    • after using the toilet
    • after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children’s noses
    • after touching public surfaces

Switch to Virtual Run

It ain’t a thing unless you get that bling!

If you can’t make it to the event – but you are fully committed and dedicated to securing our superb finisher medal (and maybe even the stunning Auckland Half Marathon Series Grand Slam awards) – then switching to the Virtual Run is the best option for you. If you want, we can send your finisher medal out to you by courier (at your expense) – or just let us know the next event you will be attending and we’ll put it aside for you to collect.

Some Important Conditions:

  • You’ll need to transfer from the physical event to the virtual event BEFORE the physical event starts. You will need to have created a my.runningevents account via the LOGIN section to do this and you can see how by clicking on the Virtual Race Transfer Cheat Sheet button below.
  • You can complete your virtual run any time from 00:00 on Saturday March 13th to 23:59 on Sunday March 14th.
  • Finish times recorded in the Virtual Runs are NOT eligible for Auckland Half Marathon Series points. However, a virtual run finish time in the 10k or half marathon DOES qualify to be counted for the GRAND SLAM series awards.
  • To record a virtual finish time, you need to use our Strava import function (you can find full instructions for doing this in this awesome document HERE) or else email us a screenshot or URL link to your GPS recorded activity. Use the “Contact Us” link here if you want to send us a file.
    Important! We only accept manual (non-Strava) activites from the Thursday after race day.
  • The Virtual Run results are declared FINAL at midnight on the day 7 days after the event.
VIRTUAL RACE TRANSFER CHEAT SHEET

Everyone who registered at least four weeks prior to the event – by midnight on February 14th – will receive their personalised race number in the mail.

Keep your race number safe! Your race number includes your integrated, disposable timing tag on the back. Because of this, replacement bibs cost $10 – so don’t lose yours!

I Don’t Have My Race Number Yet!
If you registered within four weeks of the event, you will need to collect your race number from the Registration tent at the race venue on race weekend. There are two opportunities to do this:

  • Pre-race registration runs from 4pm – 5pm at the race venue on the day prior to the event (Saturday)
  • Race-day registration opens at 6:00am. We advise those who still have to collect their race number to allow a little bit more time on race morning.

The Registration Tent is easy to find once you get the event venue. Just look for the green marquee with “REGISTRATION” written on it!

Important! Remember to bring your e-ticket. It makes things so much quicker on race day. A link to your e-ticket was sent to you by email when you registered.

Collecting Your Free Gift (Individual Race Entries only)
If you registered for the single race and received your race number in the mail, please remember to show your race bib to the team at the Merchandise tent during the morning and they’ll stamp your bib and hand over your gift. You must have your race bib with you in order to collect the gift.

Race Number

It is a requirement of your participation in the event that you wear your race number on the front of your shirt at all times whilst taking part. Your number should be secured to your shirt by a safety pin in each corner (if you don’t have any, come to the Registration desk on race morning). Your electronic timing tag is attached to the back of your race number so be careful not to crease, crush or puncture it.

Pimp Your Bib!
When you register, you will have the opportunity to select a nickname to print on your race number. Feel free to be creative – but please keep it clean folks! If you don’t select a nickname, your first name will be printed instead. If you prefer to fly under the radar – or you want to get creative with a sharpie – just put a full stop in the nickname field and we will leave it blank.

Important! Race numbers are printed in two batches. The first batch is sent to print approximately 28 days prior to the event and will include everyone registered in the event at that time. The second batch is sent to print 3-4 days before the event and includes everyone registered up to that time. Note that once your race number has been printed, it is no longer possible to change the printing. If you transfer your entry to another person and your race number has already been printed, your name will still appear on there.

Important! Please don’t lose your race number. Replacement numbers are $10.

Timing Tag

When you receive your race number, your electronic timing tag will be attached to the back. We are using disposable stick-on timing tags this year. We are sure you will appreciate the convenience of not having to attach a plastic tag to your shoes and then return it at the finish. All you have to remember is to secure your race number to the front of your shirt and you’re all set. Try to avoid holding your arm in front of the number as you cross the finish line (e.g. to turn off your watch) as this can sometimes affect the tag reading. Just wait until a few steps after the timing mat.

Important! There is no need to return your timing tag.

Important! Keep your race number with you when you finish as we will use it to register you in the prize draw for the Awards Ceremony – see below.

Finisher Medal

Everyone who finishes the Maraetai Half Marathon – irrespective of distance – will receive a stunning and exclusive commemorative Finisher Medal. The design for the 2021 medal will appear here soon!

revTab

The revTab is a self-adhesive metal plate which is delivered direct to your home approximately three weeks after your event with your name, distance and time engraved on it. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate and immortalise your achievement. Where possible, our finisher medals have a recess on the back to fit your revTab insert.

revTabs are available for the following events:
– Tauranga Marathon
– Devonport Half Marathon
– Omaha Half Marathon
– Coatesville Half Marathon
– Maraetai Half Marathon
– Waterfront Half Marathon
– Auckland Half Marathon Series Grand Slam (will include all five of your half marathon finishing times in the series)
– Run Devonport
– Run The Point
– Run Albany

You can purchase a revTab when registering for your event. For individual events, they are $15 and for the Auckland Half Marathon Series Grand Slam, they are $19. The price includes delivery to your door. If you didn’t order one when you registered – but would like to do so now – you can do it via my.runningevents.co.nz up until race day. Just click on the LOGIN button at the top of the web site and follow the prompts from there.

Road Closures

In order for the event to take place safely, a SINGLE LANE road closure has been approved by Auckland Transport for  the Maraetai Coast Road from 7am – 11am on race day. During this time, vehicles will not be able to travel in an eastward direction (from Maraetai towards Duders). Traffic flow will only be permitted from Duders/Clevedon towards Maraetai.

Running Events are indebted to Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Franklin Local Board and the residents and businesses of beautiful Maraetai for their support for our event and their patience during this short closure. Signs to give plenty of advance warning of the closure will be placed in the area leading up to the event and a detour will be in place to guide vehicles on the inland route from Maraetai to Clevedon.

Important! Event operations will not impact use of the Maraetai Beach Boating Club and it’s associated boat ramp.

Parking

We are indebted to Auckland Council Regional Parks Service for the provision of an extensive and convenient parking area inside Omana Regional Park. This car park is big enough to accommodate all participants in the half marathon and 10k event and is the only recommended parking if you are taking part in either of these distances.

Important! Access to the Omana Regional Park car park will close at 7:00am sharp.

Important! It is absolutely forbidden to park on the Whitford-Maraetai Road between Te Puru Park and Omana Beach Road. Tow away trucks will be in operation. You have been warned!

Click HERE for a comprehensive parking map for the event.

Spot Prizes & Merit Awards

The event will conclude with an Awards Ceremony where we will acknowledge some of the excellent performances on the day, as well as giving away thousands of dollars of spot prizes from our sponsors. The ceremony will take place on the main stage at the venue. See the Race Day Schedule for times.

Spot Prizes

We have many wonderful spot prizes to give away including vouchers for Mizuno shoe vouchers and the Garmin GPS sports watch. The grand prize is a big screen TV. Remember – you must be present at the prize giving to claim your prize. Only those who scan their timing tags at the spot prize timing point will be eligible to win a prize. The prize draw timing point will be activated approximately 15-20 minutes before the ceremony – listen out for announcements. All you have to do is walk across the timing mat with your race number and you will be registered in the draw. Easy as!

Important! In the event of inclement weather, we may elect to cancel the Awards Ceremony. Listen out for announcements on the PA or check out our Facebook page. If this does happen, all prize winners will be announced on our Facebook page and prizes will be couriered out to them.

Merit Awards

Beautiful glass trophies will be awarded to:

  • Top 3 men and women overall in the following events …
    • Half Marathon Run,
    • Half Marathon Competitive Walk,
    • 10K Classic Run,
    • 10K Classic Competitive Walk
    • 5K Fun Run & Walk
  • Top 3 boys and girls in the 2K Dash for …
    • Ages 7 & Under
    • Ages 8 & Over

Pacers

IMPORTANT!!  In line with social distancing recommendations, we will not have pacers for the 2020/21 season sorry.

Thanks to the good guys at Metro Run and the Auckland YMCA club, we will have pacers available to help you reach you race goals. Our pacers will be wearing a black Run More tshirt or singlet and a hydration pack with their target time flag attached. Look out for the coloured flags during the pre-race safety briefing or at the finish line. When you find them – stick to them like glue! Right to the finish line!

Target Time Colour
1’30” White
1’40” Green
1’50” Blue
2’00” Red
2’10” Yellow
2’20” Orange (subject to availability)

Information For Walkers

Running Events welcome walkers in all of our events, irrespective of the distance. Walkers routinely make up around 15-20% of the total field. We take the needs of our walkers seriously and have made changes to how our events operate to allow walkers to be appropriately recognised and accommodated. The notes here will help you, as a walker, to get the most from the event and help familiarise you with our setup for walkers.

Important! In the spirit of fair competition, we ask that all competitors adhere strictly to the rules. Competitive Walkers must not run or jog at any time during the event and must maintain contact with the ground at all times.

Hybrid Walk/Run or Competitive Walk?
When registering for a race distance which includes a competitive walk prize, you will be prompted to identify yourself as Runner, Hybrid Run/Walk or Competitive Walker. If you plan to walk most of the way but want to have the option to jog or run at any point, you should select the hybrid option. If you intend to walk throughout the event and want to measure yourself against other walkers, you should choose the Competitive Walk option.

Important! Hybrid run/walk competitors should start on the same start horn as the runners. For the 21K and 10K distances, Competitive Walk participants should start on the dedicated walkers start which will be three minutes after the main field.

Are There Prizes?
Please see the Merit Awards section for details of prizes. To be eligible for awards, walkers must enter in the Competitive Walk category, start on the Competitive Walk start signal and must only walk during the event.

How Is the Walking Competition Judged?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide walking judges for our events. Therefore, we rely upon the integrity of those taking part to adhere to the rules of the walking competition and not run or jog at any time. In our experience over the years, we have found that the most common error in the walking competition is where people register as a competitive walker but decide to run on race day. We have worked around this issue by having a dedicated race start for walkers wherever there are Competitive Walk merit prizes at stake.

Important! We do not make judgement calls on disqualifications based on reports from other competitors. Unless advised otherwise by the competitor in question, we trust the integrity of our competitive walkers. In all cases, the Race Director’s decision shall be final.

Cut-Off Times

The official cut-off times are:
3.5 hrs for the Half-Marathon
2 hrs for the 10km Classic & 15km Hit Out
1 hr for the 5km Fun Run & Walk

Marshals, aid stations, traffic management, signage, etc. – may all be removed from the course on a schedule equal to the course cut off pace. If you are unable to maintain the course cut off pace, you must be ready to stop participating and make your way back to the finish area. At your option, you may elect to continue and complete the course at your own volition. This means you must carry sufficient water and nutrition for your needs, be able to direct yourself around the course and observe and care for your own safety. Where the event has been taking place on closed roads, you must move onto the footpath – where one exists – or to the side of the road and continue as a pedestrian.

Running Events want to encourage all of our participants to make it to the finish line – no matter how long it takes. The above conditions notwithstanding, we are normally at the race site conducting the awards ceremony or packing up the site for at least an hour after the official close off. Provided you make yourself known to us when you finish – and confirm that you followed the correct course – we will be delighted to record your finish time in the official results and present you with your finisher medal.

Event Safety

It is compulsory for all participants to attend, listen to and heed the advice of the safety briefing. Above all else, however, please understand that no roads are closed during the event. You have sole responsibility for your own safety. Do not leave any pavement, cross any road, pass any driveway unless you deem it is safe for you to do so.

Please remind your own spectators that they should not attempt to accompany you in vehicles, bikes or otherwise. They must follow the normal rules of the road to reach vantage points.

Important! A copy of the approved Health & Safety plan is available from Running Events on request.

Course Safety

Remember that other a very small area near the start and finish of the event, all roads are open to the public at all times. Stick to the pavement where one exists and do not cross any intersection unless you have determined to your own satisfaction that it is safe to do so.

Please remember the golden rule … Always give way to vehicles. No matter who has right of way, vehicles always win.

Course & Venue Maps

Know where you’re going … then train to get there. Maps for all race distances and the event venue.

Half Marathon

If you know of a more scenic half marathon in the great city of sails, we’d like to hear about it because this … is 21.1km of of Pohutukawa fringed, white-sand splendour! And the view from Duders? Just unbelievable.

Half Marathon Course Map
PDF DOWNLOAD
GOOGLE MAP
PLOTAROUTE

10K Classic

This is a fast and scenic course which takes in the best views offered by Omana Regional Park, Te Puru Park and Leigh Auton Reserve. The grades are very mellow so even though you have to go up and down a little bit, you’ll hardly notice!

Half Marathon Course Map
PDF DOWNLOAD
GOOGLE MAP
PLOTAROUTE

5K Fun Run & Walk

Just right for the whole family! Feel the excitement of starting under the big arch and running (or walking) around the beautiful wide footpaths of Te Puru Park and Leigh Auton Reserve. There is a modest uphill grade towards the road section – please take care on the out-and-back road section.

Half Marathon Course Map
PDF DOWNLOAD
GOOGLE MAP
PLOTAROUTE

2km Kids’ Dash

Kids, start your engines! Flat and fast, this is high octane action for our juniors as the burn through 1000 metres of wide, safe and traffic free footpaths, then burn all the way back to the finish and an awesome finisher medal!

Half Marathon Course Map
PDF DOWNLOAD
GOOGLE MAP
PLOTAROUTE

Venue Map

Te Puru park in Beachlands is the place to be on race day for all the action. Check out the location of all the most important facilities – like toilets, toilets and toilets – so you know where to head on race morning.

Half Marathon Course Map
PDF DOWNLOAD
GOOGLE MAP

Event Parking

Take the stress out of your event morning by getting yourself familiar with the event parking areas! Plan ahead and get in there early!

IMPORTANT! From 7am, ALL event traffic will divert into Beachlands at the roundabout.

Half Marathon Course Map
PDF DOWNLOAD

Past Events

Results, photos, video and more from previous editions of the GJ Gardner Maraetai Half Marathon

Results

2020 RESULTS
2019 RESULTS

Video

2020 VIDEO
2019 VIDEO

Photo Gallery

Contact Us

Get answers to any question about your next Running Event …

We’d love to hear from you, but first …
… we’ve listed the five questions we get asked most often in the list below. You can save yourself (and us!) a whole heap of time by checking these Questions and Answers to see if this might answer your query. There’s a good chance this will nail it and you’ll be all set!

Your my.runningevents.co.nz dashboard allows you to make a variety of changes to your registration without even needing to ask us. How good is that? From within your account, you can update your contact details, upgrade or downgrade your race selection or transfer your entry to another person. You can also add additional items like t-shirts and revTabs to your registration and pay the extra online. Just click on the LOGIN  link in the menu and follow the prompts to access the system or create a new account. Provided your account is email validated, you will find all of your registrations listed here. Select the one you wish to change and follow the Make Changes options from there. If you do have any difficulties, please just get back to us through this Contact Form.

Full details on our Refund & Transfer policy can be found here.

Important: Please do not ask for an exception. Our refund and transfer policy is clearly stated and applied evenly, without exception. We do not make exceptions to this policy under any circumstances whatsoever.

Single Race Registrations

  • If you registered at least 28 days prior to race day. your race number – with timing device attached – will be sent to you in the mail to the address specified in your registration. If you change address, make sure you let us know in time. You can expect to receive this approximately 7-10 days prior to the event.
  • If you registered within the last 28 days prior to race day, you will need to collect your race number from the Registration Tent at the event venue during the pre-race or race-morning registration sessions. See the event web site INFO section for details.

Series Pass Registrations

  • If you registered for an Auckland Half Marathon Series Pass at least 28 days prior to the Devonport Half Marathon, all of your race numbers (for all of the series events) and other materials will be sent to you by courier. You can expect to receive this approximately 7-10 days prior to the Devonport event. If you registered within the final 28 days prior to the Devonport Half Marathon, your race numbers and other materials will be available to collect from the Registration Tent at the Devonport event venue during the pre-race or race-morning registration sessions. See the event web site INFO section for details.
  • If you registered for a North Shore Run Series Pass before the early December courier deadline, your race number and other materials will be sent to you by courier. You can expect to receive this approximately 7-10 days prior to Christmas. If you registered after the courier deadline, your race number and other materials will be available to collect from the Registration Tent at the Race One event venue during the pre-race or race-morning registration sessions. See the event web site INFO section for details and to check the exact date of the courier deadline.

Merchandise

  • If you ordered any merchandise with your registration, it will be available for collection from the Merchandise tent at the event venue during either the pre-race or race morning registration times. See the event web site INFO section for details.

Our MyLaps disposable timing tags are small stickers that can be found on the back of your race number.  The tag sends out a unique UHF signal that identifies you and records the exact time at which you passed the detection mats. The tags are designed to withstand rain, sweat and normal wear-and-tear – but please don’t fold or bend the bib as this can damage it.  All you need to do to make sure your result is properly recorded is to wear your race number on the front of your shirt throughout the event. The tag is disposable – you do not need to return it after the event.

Important! Keep hold of your race number after you finish. You will need it to register for the prize draw at the Awards Ceremony. Listen out for announcements.

Of course! We love walkers and all of our events are open to runners, joggers and walkers alike. Many of our events offer specific merit prizes, start times and rules for competitive walkers. Please check the event web site and you will find this information on the “Walkers” tab.

The top 5 questions didn’t work?
No worries … just fill in your details and your question below and we’ll get back to you soon. We normally answer emails same business day so you won’t be waiting for long.