Records Fall as Marathon Marks 10-Year Milestone in Style
There were celebrations all round today as the ASICS Runaway Hawke’s Bay Marathon returned, with the event reaching its 10-year milestone while thousands of participants smashed their goals in the ASICS Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km and Kids Run races.
Michael Voss won the 2026 ASICS Runaway Hawke's Bay Marathon in a new course best time - Photo Graeme Murray
In both the women’s and men’s marathon races there was more to celebrate, as Wellington’s Alice Mason and Rotorua’s Michael Voss claimed the 2026 titles in new course best times. Mason won in 2:45:44, two minutes faster than the previous best time set in 2024, while Voss stopped the clock in 2:19:52 – beating his own course best time set in 2022 by more than four minutes.
“It was a pretty nice morning, I didn’t love the headwind along the waterfront but other than that it was really nice,” said Mason. “Last time I came here I got passed in the last three kilometres, so this is redemption a couple of years later. It’s been a long two years, I’ve had a kid since then, so it’s been a long time to come back here.”
In the women’s race, Jaime Preston finished second in 2:52:49 and Billie-Lee Haresnape was third in 2:53:49. The men’s podium was completed by Jack Moody in 2:20:02 – finishing just 10 seconds behind Voss – and Eric Speakman in 2:28:07.
“I’m feeling a lot better now, I was a bit nervous coming down the finish chute,” said Voss. “I knew Jack was hot on my heels, so I just kept my head down to the line and managed to hold on.
“Jack and I split away from the group pretty early on and he just held a pretty consistent pace. I kind of sat on his shoulder for most of the way, tried to do some of the work, but he was just consistent. I found a little gap with about 10km to go and tried to make my move then,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the half marathon it was Laura Nagel who took out the women’s title in 1:15:50, over six minutes clear of Heather Neill in second. Jasmine Finney rounded out the podium in 1:22:55.
The men’s half marathon was won by Liam Chesney in 1:08:04 with a minute to spare from Luke Scott in second, with Mike Robinson in third in 1:09:44.
The 10km races were won by Jemima Tennekoon in 36:13 – just one second shy of the course best time – and Casey Thorby in 32:22.
Thousands of participants took part in today's 10th anniversary edition ASICS Runaway Hawke's Bay Marathon - Photo Graeme Murray
While there was plenty of attention on those at the front of the races, the Runaway Hawke’s Bay Marathon caters to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, bringing more than 81% of participants from outside of Hawke’s Bay to the region, including plenty from overseas.
As well as those from outside the region, a core group of 15 Founding Runners returned to the start line today, taking part in every single edition in the Runaway Hawke’s Bay Marathon since it began in 2016. One of those runners was Roanna Vining, who completed today’s marathon in 3:34:54.
“My favourite memory is probably the year of the cyclone, which was amazing to see the community come back together and do a different course. Last year was also incredible because I did my fastest time and it was a perfect day,” said Vining.
The Runaway Hawke’s Bay Marathon is part of the Runaway Marathon Series, made up of incredible destination events across New Zealand and Australia. During today’s event, William Butcher and Dylan Muxworthy earned their four-race Runaway MVP medal, celebrating their completion of four events in the series. The British friends live in Sydney and have travelled to both Hawke’s Bay and Queenstown to race the series.
“I feel amazing but tired. It was nice and open and there’s was lots of space on the track which was nice,” said Butcher. “We’ve earned our medal in a year, year and a half. We did Queenstown and then Sydney and Noosa and now Hawke’s Bay.”
ASICS Marathon Results – Women
- Alice Mason 02:45:44
- Jaime Preston 02:52:49
- Billie-Lee Haresnape 02:53:52
ASICS Marathon Results – Men
1. Michael Voss 02:19:52
2. Jack Moody 02:20:02
3. Eric Speakman 02:28:07
Half Marathon Results – Women
1. Laura Nagel 01:15:50
2. Heather Neill 01:21:58
3. Jasmine Finney 01:22:55
Half Marathon Results – Men
1. Liam Chesney 01:08:04
2. Luke Scott 01:09:05
3. Mike Robinson 01:09:44
10km Results – Women
1. Jemima Tennekoon 00:36:13
2. Esther George 00:36:14
3. Amanda Waldron 00:38:23
10km Results – Men
1. Casey Thorby 00:32:22
2. Finn Molloy 00:35:26
3. Finn Sherlock 00:35:26
