Marathon: Whanganui's Luke Watts finishes Top 30 in Auckland

Luke Watts

New Zealand Rowing Championships gold medallist Luke Watts tried his hand at another gruelling sport on Sunday, as the Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club captain came 28th overall at the annual Auckland Marathon.

Watts, who has had success running locally in the Brine To Wine Road Race, completed the iconic marathon in 2h 49m 48s, which was enough to come 18th in the Men's 18-34 year old grade.

His 28th overall was from among 1629 full marathon competitors.

"My last running race of the year, I think," Watts said.

"Focusing on rowing for the rest of the summer."

The annual course starts in Devonport on the North Shore and travels through Takapuna and Northcote before crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge and heading towards the finish line at Victoria Park.

While the half marathon runners stop there, the full marathon continues east through the Viaduct and along Tamaki Drive, before turning around at Saint Heliers Bay to head back to Victoria Park.

In total, there were 15,000 people who entered the event in the various categories, with six requiring hospitalisation.

Australia's David Criniti crossed the finishline first for the full marathon in 2h 24m 6s, followed 37s later by runnerup Daniel Jones and then Isiais Beyn another 23s back.