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.
Enter Now
Let’s do this! Sign up for the GJ Gardner Maraetai Half Marathon here …
Entry Fees
IMPORTANT POSTPONEMENT, CANCELLATION & PANDEMIC INFORMATION
For all postponement, cancellation and pandemic information, please see the [INFO] section below PRIOR to registering.
ENTRY AND BIB COLLECTION
Entries close at 4:45pm Saturday 12 March. You MUST collect your race bib before 5:00pm. No race day collections!
Sponsors
Race Information
A comprehensive guide to the GJ Gardner Maraetai Half Marathon.
IMPORTANT! “RUN AT RED” COVID-19 EVENT INFORMATION
THE 2022 MARAETAI HALF MARATHON WILL TAKE PLACE UNDER TRAFFIC LIGHT RED COVID RESTRICTIONS. THE INFORMATION PRESENTED BELOW SUPERCEDES ANY PREVIOUS EVENT INFORMATION. IT IS VITAL EVERYONE TAKING PART IN OUR IN-PERSON EVENT CAREFULLY READS AND UNDERSTANDS ALL THE INFORMATION PRESENTED BELOW … REMEMBER, YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE SITE READY TO RACE AND DEPART AS SOON AS YOU FINISH.
IMPORTANT! You know that we love you … but our crew are instructed to keep their distance from all participants on race day (except in emergencies). This is for your safety and to ensure we can operate our events this summer. For any race related changes or enquiries, please use the web site contact form. Onya!
LANE CLOSURE INFORMATION
Important! From 4am until 2pm (earlier, if possible) on event day, the Maraetai Coast Road will be closed in an easterly (Maraetai -> Duders) direction to enable the safe running of the Maraetai Half Marathon. Eastbound traffic will be turned around at the Maraetai roundabout. Running Events and Auckland Transport thank motorists for their patience during this important safety operation.
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.
Jump to: Half Marathon | 10k Classic | 5k Fun Run & Walk | 2k Kids’ Dash | Venue Map
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!
Jump to: Half Marathon | 10k Classic | 5k Fun Run & Walk | 2k Kids’ Dash | Venue Map
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.
Jump to: Half Marathon | 10k Classic | 5k Fun Run & Walk | 2k Kids’ Dash | Venue Map
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!
Jump to: Half Marathon | 10k Classic | 5k Fun Run & Walk | 2k Kids’ Dash | Venue Map
Past Events
Results, photos, video and more from previous editions of the GJ Gardner Maraetai Half Marathon
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 question may also be listed in our Frequently Asked Question page found HERE
Your Covid Vaccine Pass questions are answered in the Frequently Asked Questions under the “VACCINE PASSES” category.
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.
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 an North Shore Run Series Pass before the courier delivery deadline (please refer to the Important Dates section), your race number and other materials will be sent to you by courier. You can expect to receive them approximately 7-10 days prior to the first race of the series. If you registered after the courier deadline, your race number and other materials will be available to collect from the Registration Tent at the first event 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.