Race Info
Race rules
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 in to 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.
Wave Starts
To ensure a smooth start for all runners, wave starts and self-seeded start zones 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. The wave start 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.
Bag drop
There will be a Bag Drop service available at the start area of each race. Only event Gear Bags can be used at Bag Drop (i.e. not a sports bag) and must be labelled with the bag tag attached to your race bib given at Athlete Check-In. Please ensure your Gear Bag is labelled before you drop it off at the designated bag drop area. Any gear left at the start line, or discarded and left at any point on the course will be collected and donated to Charity. You must NOT drop any gear at aid stations or anywhere on the course for later retrieval.
Your event Gear Bags will be transported to the Event Hub at Elephant Hill Estate & Winery and will be available for you to collect when you complete your race. Please collect your bag by 4:30pm Saturday 18 May before you leave the Event Hub. Any remaining gear will be donated to Charity.
Aid stations
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.
Race day checklist
- Your race number (and pins to attach it).
- You official gear bag for bag drop labelled with supplied bag tag.
- Your shuttle bus sticker if you are taking the Shuttle Bus (this will be printed on your race number).
- Weather appropriate clothing, plus sunscreen and cap.
- Please ensure you have completed the back of your race number with your name, any medical conditions and a contact name and phone number (other than your own or someone else running) in case of emergency.
- Please pin your race number to the front of your T-shirt or running vest and make sure it is clearly visible. You must not use someone else’s number, nor let someone else use yours.
- Your race number carries your disposable timing chip which is your unique timing device for the race. You must wear your race number to be classified as a starter and a finisher of the race and have your time recorded. Timing chips do not need to be returned.
- This is a fully supported marathon with 11 Aid stations (6 Aid stations for the half marathon), so you do not need to carry a hydration pack unless you want to. You do not need to wear trail shoes as the course is smooth, easy, hard packed trails.
Shuttle Service
Make your race morning transportation stress-free and use our easy shuttle service. View timetable and maps on our Transport Services page.
Spectator Info
Event Shuttle Service
A FREE transport service will be in place for friends and family, making it easy for them to get to the finish line at Elephant Hill. This shuttle doesn't need to be pre-booked.
Spectator shuttle departures will depart from Hawke’s Bay Showground from 7.30am and the Napier i-Site at 8:45am. All Day parking is available at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds. Return shuttles from Elephant Hill will run frequently throughout the day. Please note, there is no spectator parking available at Elephant Hill.
Pre-Race Spectator Transport:
| Pre-Race Departure Location | Time | Price |
| Hawke's Bay Showgrounds in Hastings | First shuttle departs: 7:30am Last shuttle departs: 3:15pm |
FREE |
| Napier i-Site on Marine Parade | Shuttle departs at 8:45am | FREE |
Post-Race Spectator Transport:
| Post-Race Departure Location | Time | Price |
| Elephant Hill to Hawke's Bay Showgrounds | Last shuttle departs: 3:45pm | FREE |
| Elephant Hill to Napier i-Site | Last shuttle departs: 4:00pm | FREE |
Please note that parking will be available on surrounding residential streets at Anderson park, Marine Parade and Evers-Swindell Reserve.
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.
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.
2024 Road Closure Interactive Map
Please use the map below to help plan your journey on race day.
Spectator Viewing Locations
To ensure your support crew, family and friends can see you out there on the event course and cheer you on. We have released a Spectator Location map so you can familiarise yourself with each location.
