The Best 2026 Marathons to Explore in New Zealand

Home to rigour and sculptural beauty, New Zealand promises a plethora of escapades that will rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

With stripes of royal blue and orange rippling across the sky, grazing sheep shuffling through gentle swells of the fields and jagged mountains framing the horizon, New Zealand is home to rigour and sculptural beauty. The lands that encompass the country have a wealth of stories to tell: gold mining chronicles, rich Māori culture and settlements memoirs, and Mother Nature’s footprint. But, threaded through all of this is a place that reconciliates the soul and spirit with contemporary and adventurous experiences.

A blanket of colours, smells and sensations, New Zealand promises unforgettable grounds that detach you from the hustle and bustle to find quiet moments. Whichever way you go, north or south, you are greeted with fleeting views of magnificent vistas—be it walking, hiking, biking or running. Every trail here either weaves through the wild coastlines, ancient lush forests, volcanic valleys or alpine peaks that will reshape how you see the world. It serves as the perfect backdrop for lingering conversations, unhurried ponderings and finding inner peace. A few hours amongst the trees could cure any gnawing restlessness or purpose.

Here are the best adventures to explore in New Zealand in 2026:

Hawke’s Bay Marathon

16 May 2026

Come May, the running sphere unfolds at the beautiful Elephant Hill Estate & Winery—runners can wind through vineyard heavy with orchard, coastal paths and quiet country roads under picturesque blue skies.

Race Tekapo

19 September

Set at Lake Tekapo—a setting dotted with captivating bodies of blue-hued water and purple and pink lupins lining its shores—the Race Tekapo lets you weave through alpine terrain and the International Dark Sky Reserve for a beautiful, scenic route.

First Light Marathon

January 2027

With unobstructed views, the First Light Marathon brings you to Gisborne to explore traces of Māori land, historic sites, rolling hills, glasses of chardonnays and a charming coastline. Runners will be glad to know that you’ll be greeting the unforgettable sunrise with this marathon.

And for those seeking something more relaxed, New Zealand offers state-of-the-art spas, geothermal hot pools and stargazing—mindful moments made for some reperative. You can even dive into their local provisions—hearty meals and world-class wineries.

Above all, New Zealand offers a rich journey that fosters a deep connection to its people and place that lingers long after departure with its threads of culinary excellence, warm hospitality and a deep respect for nature. This is not merely a destination to be visited and checked off a list, but rather a land that weaves itself into the fabric of your being, reshaping perspectives and awakening senses you didn’t know had dulled.