Race Info

Event Exclusions

Due to Health and Safety, wheeled conveyances (including wheelchairs, baby buggies, scooters, bikes, inline skates) cannot be used for all events. Babies in front packs (or back packs) and accompanying animals are not allowed on the course. Headphones and personal music devices are strongly discouraged.

Event Cut-off Times

Official event closure time: Due to course management and road closure restrictions, the course will officially be closed to all runners and walkers at 4:00pm. We welcome walkers in the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km distances. We ask all walkers to start behind the runners in the designated section at the start line and give way to runners at all times.

Health & Safety

In the interest of providing a safe and enjoyable event experience for all entrants please take into account the following.

The course is on smooth hard packed trails and roads that are closed or partially closed to general traffic. These roads will be managed by Traffic Management specialists and where feasible local residents and businesses will be allowed controlled access on closed roads.

• Please be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Keep to the left of the course to allow people to pass on the right.
• Be courteous to your fellow participants at all times.
• Please obey instructions from race officials, volunteers and traffic management at all times.

If you have to withdraw from the race please make your way to the next Aid Station and inform the race officials. If you are unable to continue due to a medical emergency, please ask your fellow competitors to inform the next visible race official or volunteer who will be able to inform medical services of your location.

Important Medical and Health Information 

• Your safety is our primary concern. The medical team will be staffing the medical facilities at: 
• Athlete Check-In at the Napier War Memorial on Friday 16 May for the duration of Athlete Check-In and Expo 10.00am – 9.00pm  
• Event Day finish and festival event venue, Elephant Hill, 86 Clifton Road Te Awanga, Haumoana from 7.00am – 4.30pm 
• Medical resources will also be available while you are out on course, including start lines.
• If you are not feeling well on race morning, we strongly advise you not to start the event.
• If you start to feel unwell at any point during the race, we urge you to seek help rather than continue. 

DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP 

If at any time during the race you experience chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, lightheadedness (dizziness), numbness around the mouth or in hands, difficulty concentrating, or stop sweating please stop immediately and seek medical attention.

• During the run: If you are at a water station or aid station, let someone know you are in need of medical help. If you are not at or near a water station or aid station – STOP – let someone know you need medical help. Anyone can help - another participant, a volunteer, a staff vehicle, event support vehicle; even a spectator. Have them alert the nearest water/aid station or staff member that you need medical assistance. Make sure you provide your bib number to initiate your care.
• Helping another runner – if a fellow runner needs help, please use the same steps listed above to help get the runner medical assistance. Make sure to provide the bib number of the runner in need of help.

After you have finished the race, please do not leave the post-race area until you are able to drink without vomiting, stand without dizziness and feel okay. If you are not feeling well, please come to the event medical tent to be evaluated by the medical team before leaving the post-race area.

Manage your Health and Safety on Race Day – Race Healthy, Race Smart

Start Groups

To ensure a smooth start for all runners, start groups will be in place at the Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10km Run start lines. Runners will need to gather in the appropriate coloured zone depending on their expected race finish time and race bib colour. The start group system will release a set number of runners at timed intervals after the start gun is fired.

Your race time is calculated from when you pass over the timing mat on the start line so no-one will be disadvantaged. Introducing wave starts will help everyone to run at their own pace across the course, giving you a true race time. And you can soak up the scenery as much as you choose!

Timing

Timing mats will be located at each race start line and at the finish line. A timing mat will also be located at the half-way point of the Marathon.

Disposable timing chips are attached to the back of your race number and will record your time. Timing chips do not need to be returned.

Timing results will be provided by age group category, and age group placings will be based on participant's mat time. Overall distance placings will be based on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Male and Female runner across the finish line.

Competition Rules

The ASICS Runaway Hawke's Bay Marathon is run under Drug Free Sport NZ Authority Regulations and the competitive and administrative rules of Athletics New Zealand. Athletes should read and understand these rules and regulations prior to race day. Failure to adhere to these rules and regulations may result in disqualification from the event.

Athletes are well supported with aid stations located on course for all distances. Aid stations will provide water, PURE Electrolyte Hydration, toilet facilities and first aid.

The PURE Electrolyte Hydration flavour offered on course will be lemon and superfruits. For more information on PURE Electrolyte Hydration click here.

There will be 11 aid stations on the marathon course, 6 on the half marathon course and 3 on the 10km course. Please refer to Course maps for aid station locations. 

Event Day Road Closures

There will be a number of road closures across the Hawke's Bay region on event day. Please familiarise yourself with these closures and plan your day and driving routes accordingly.

*Changed traffic conditions subject to change.

2024 Road closure map

Mobile App

The Runaway Marathon Series mobile app is a fantastic tool for both athletes and supporters. It includes key information on all that is happening at the Runaway Hawke's Bay Marathon, including maps and an athlete tracker so you can follow your friends. Download via your App store below.