More than 7800 runners participated in the 10th Hawke's Bay Marathon, with over 81% from outside the region. Photo / Graeme Murray
More than 7800 runners participated in the 10th Hawke's Bay Marathon, with over 81% from outside the region. Photo / Graeme Murray
Hawke’s Bay was packed with thousands of runners, walkers and supporters on Saturday for the 10th edition of the Asics Runaway Hawke’s Bay Marathon.
More than 7800 participants from across New Zealand and overseas took part in the marathon, half-marathon, 10km and Kids Run races, with more than 81% ofentrants travelling from outside the region.
Runners during the 2026 Hawke’s Bay Marathon. Photo / Graeme Murray
Wellington runner Alice Mason and Rotorua athlete Michael Voss claimed the marathon titles in new course record times.
Voss crossed the line in 2h 19m 52s, beating his own course-best time set in 2022 by more than four minutes, while Mason won the women’s race in 2h 45m 44s, two minutes faster than the previous best time, set in 2024.
“Last time I came here, I got passed in the last three kilometres, so this is redemption, a couple of years later,” Mason said.
“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 2h 52m 49s and Billie-Lee Haresnape was third in 2h 53m 49s.
The men’s podium was completed by Jack Moody in 2h 20m 02s, finishing just 10 seconds behind Voss, with Eric Speakman third in 2h 28m 07s.
“I was a bit nervous coming down the finish chute,” Voss said.
“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.”
Michael Voss won the 2026 Hawke's Bay Marathon in a new course record time. Photo / Graeme Murray
In the half-marathon, it was Laura Nagel who took out the women’s title in 1h 15m 50s, over six minutes clear of Heather Neill in second. Jasmine Finney rounded out the podium in 1h 22m 55s.
The men’s half-marathon was won by Liam Chesney in 1h 08m 04s, with a minute to spare from Luke Scott in second, with Mike Robinson in third in 1h 09m 44s.
The 10km races were won by Jemima Tennekoon in 36m 13s, just one second shy of the course record, with Casey Thorby finishing in 32m 22s.
Runners celebrate as they cross the finish line at the Hawke's Bay Marathon, with the vineyards of Elephant Hill Winery and Estate as a backdrop. Photo / Graeme Murray
The event also celebrated a dedicated group of 15 founding runners who have completed every edition of the Hawke’s Bay Marathon since it began in 2016.
Among them was Roanna Vining, who said one of her favourite memories was returning to race after Cyclone Gabrielle.
“[It] was amazing to see the community come back together,” she said.
Runners make their way through Napier during the Hawke’s Bay Marathon on Saturday. Photo / Graeme Murray
Among those travelling to Hawke’s Bay for the event were British friends William Butcher and Dylan Muxworthy, who flew from Sydney as part of their goal to complete four races in the Runaway Marathon Series.
