Gisborne First Light Marathon grows to 400 runners as entries stay open

The sun rises over the East Coast during a previous First Light Marathon in Gisborne. The 2026 event is taking place on Saturday and has attracted 400 runners – 100 more than last year. Photo / Cory Scott

A record field of around 400 runners will take part in the First Light Marathon in Tairāwhiti on Saturday, 100 more than last year, as the event attracts greater international popularity.

Of those confirmed, 104 will run the full marathon (42.2km), 220 are taking on the half-marathon (21.1km) and 89 have signed up for the 6km fun run.

Race director Justin Bell, from Albatros Travel, said he and the team had arrived safely in Gisborne.

“It’s great to be back. We’re watching the weather closely and hoping the Taupo-Napier road stays open.”

People are still able to register for the race on Friday from 6pm–8pm at Midway Surf Rescue Community Hub on Centennial Marine Drive. Race packs can also be collected from there.

Around 90 runners have come from overseas for the marathon, which is part of a wider tourism package provided by Albatros Adventure Marathons – a Danish travel company that hosts marathons in nine countries across the globe including the Great Wall Marathon in China, considered to be one of the most challenging marathons in the world.

The First Light marathon, which starts and finishes at the boardwalk next to the Midway surf lifesaving hub, takes in views of the coastline and is promoted as “the race into the world’s first sunrise” as it starts before dawn breaks in Tairāwhiti.

Bell said they wanted to say “a big thank you” to race ambassadors Michelle and Pete Rennie.

“We couldn’t do it without them. Also massive thanks to all of the landowners who have moved stock and got tracks ready for the race.

“At this stage it’s looking good for Saturday and we look forward to another epic event.”