The First Light Marathon was promoted as the “race into the world’s first sunrise” and Tairāwhiti turned it on for the field. Photo / Damon Meade
American brother and sister Matthew and Elaine Webb added their own triumphant chapter to the fourth running of the First Light Marathon in Gisborne on Saturday.
Matthew, 32, was first overall while Elaine, 30, was the first woman home.
They were among the nearly 90 marathon runners who crossed the finish line with smiles, pride and unforgettable stories.
Race director Justin Bell, of Albatros Adventure Marathons, said they were stoked the fourth edition of the January race was such a great success.
“We were very nervous watching the weather reporting while setting up the course,” Bell said.
“On the day of the event, we were blessed with sunshine [and] everyone was blown away by the different types of beautiful scenery they experienced on the course.
“The start and finish line experience for our guests was greatly improved this year as we used the Mana Moana Lounge and its large terrace at Midway Surf Rescue Community Hub.”
Matthew Webb was first home and overall men’s winner in 3h 31m 46s - the third-fastest time in the history of the race.
Patrick Crawshaw was second in 3h 42m 50s and Gisborne real estate agent Simon Bousfield was third in 3h 44m 48s.
Bousfield is a two-time winner of the race and went in as the defending champion. He has made the podium all four times.
Webb is a run specialty sales associate from Denver, Colorado, who regularly participates in road and trail and ultra and sub-ultra distance races in the United States.
Webb, who was doing the Tongariro Crossing with his sister this week, said he “thoroughly enjoyed” the First Light event.
His sister went one better, describing it as “hands down the most beautiful marathon I have ever done”.
She won the women’s race and was sixth overall in a time of 3h 58m 58s ... the first woman to complete the race in under four hours.
Maja Hugli, the Swiss tourist whose family got stuck in the Waioweka Gorge the previous week, was second in 4h 07m 16s and Zoe Kelly was third in 4h 39m 07s.
Elaine Webb, also living in Denver, is a teacher who coaches cross-country and track back home. She and her brother travel and run internationally once a year.
There were 87 “official” finishers, the last recorded time being Jack Parker’s 8h 04m 00s.
The event also featured half-marathon and six-kilometre fun run options.
The half-marathon winner was Jack Lewis in 1h 39m 56s from Stijn van Roey in 1h 41m 53s and Paul Randall in 1h 46m 10s.
The first woman home was Grace Clare in 1h 53m 57s from Georgia Bulley in 1h 58m 07s and Hollie Murrell in 2h 09m 06s.
The 6km winner was Aaron Taylor in 25m 37s from Toby Cutfield in 26m 46s and Miller Cutfield in 30m 44s.
The fastest female was Tracy Utting-Buchanan in 31m 03s from Lana McGuinness in 31m 45s and Tui Ruifrok in 33m 03s.
“Once again we would like to thank all the landowners and local iwi who gave us access to their land, and the farmers who worked hard in the lead-up to the race getting the course ready from Sponge Bay through to Te Kuri walkway,” Bell said.
“Also a massive shout out to all the volunteers who helped marshall the course and manage the water stations on race day.
“We look forward to growing the event for 2027.”
