First Light Marathon – 2026 Registration & 2025 Results
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| Tairāwhiti Gisborne, New Zealand | Jan 24, 2026 | Registration not yet open (Opens 10th February) |
First Light Marathon is a running event which is held in Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Aotearoa New Zealand, which is known for being the first city in the world to see the sun each day. First organized in 2023, the event offers a marathon and half marathon as a part of adventure tourism.
The tough course offers various surfaces, from sandy beaches, grassy hills, concrete and hence is a more challenging course than average marathons.
First Light Marathon is a part of the extreme marathon series hosted by Adventure Marathon. Albatros Adventure Marathons – not only provides packages for First Light Marathon but also offers packages for other races listed below:
- Lost City Marathon
- Icefjord Midnight Marathon
- Great Wall Marathon
- Big Five Marathon
- Island Volcano Marathon
- Petra Desert Marathon
- World’s Fastest Marathon
- Polar Circle Marathon
- Bagan Temple Marathon
Book Your Stay Near Race Starting Point
First Light Marathon:
Race Categories, Dates, Registration, Eligibility & Fees
| Marathon | Half Marathon | Fun Run | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | 42.2 km | 21.1 km | 6 km |
| Start Time | 5:40 am | 5:40 am | 6:10 am |
| Eligibility Criterion | 18 years & above | 16 year & above | No age limit |
| Fees – Race fees # | NZD 200 (NZD 175 for locals) | NZD 130 (NZD 95 for locals) | NZD 50 (NZD 40 for locals) |
| Fees – Package # | NZD 1990 & Up (single room supplement NZD +550 & Up) | ||
| Registration | For International runners : Register here For local resident runners: Register here |
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| Bib Pick-up/ Briefing Details | For International runners: After arrival at Gisborne Date: Jan 23, 2026 For Local resident runners: Trust Tairawhiti, 50, The Espalanade Date: Jan 24, 2026 (6pm-8pm) Pick up also available at Midway Surf Club on Race day (5am onwards) |
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# Race entry depends on your residential status
International participants: Race entry is ONLY possible in conjunction with a multi-day tour package. The packages include accommodation, social events, sightseeing, and select meals and transportation per the itinerary. Race entry fees is separate.
Residents of Aotearoa, New Zealand: If you are living in Aotearoa, New Zealand, then you are eligible for local entry, which includes only the race.
Route / Course Map
Information about the course maps & other details for the First Light Marathon 2026 is detailed below. The First Light Marathon route is an OUT & BACK course with below mentioned start & finish points
| Course Map | Elevation Map | Starting Point | Finish Point | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon / Half Marathon | Course Map | Elevation Map | Boardwalk, Midway Beach | Boardwalk, Midway Beach |
Prize Money
All finishers of the First Light marathon receive a medal. A small, symbolic prize is given to the winners of both distances for men and women. Please note that there is no prize money.
2025 and Earlier Edition Results
Results
- Check Results for First Light Marathon 2025 here
- Check Results for First Light Marathon 2024 here
- Check Results for First Light Marathon 2023 here
Important Points
- Change of distance: It is possible to change the distance you want to run up to 10 days before the race starts.
- Valid visa and passport is a must to travel to New Zealand
- Travel insurance: All travelers must be suitably insured.
- Travel restrictions: All travel participants must be self-reliant. Wheelchair users and people with a motor handicap are welcome but please consult the travel agency before booking a tour. The travel agency reserves the right to decline participants who will not be able to participate in the tour on their own.
- Surface: The First Light Marathon will be run on a variety of surfaces: pavement, dirt roads, grass, single-track trails, and sandy beach will all be included in this strenuous race.
- Aid stations: There will be water stations approximately every 4 kilometres. Some stations will also serve energy drinks and bananas. Marathon runners will be offered energy gels.
- Time limit applicable on the course
- Marathon –8 hrs
- Half Marathon- 8 hrs
- Terms & conditions: Please read more about Albatros Adventure Marathons Terms & Conditions here.
- Travel Partners: Albatroz Adventure Marathons has a number of travel partners around the world. You can check the list of travel partners here
Contact Information
- Mailing address: Albatros Adventure Marathons, Tøndergade 16, DK-1752 Copenhagen V
Denmark - Email: info@adventure-marathon.com
- Tel: +45 36 98 98 38
- Website: https://first-light-marathon.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstlightmarathon
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/albatrosadventuremarathons/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AdventureMarathon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/albatros-adventure-marathons/
