Whanganui 3 Bridges Marathon to host 2026 NZ Marathon Championships

The Whanganui 3 Bridges Marathon will host the 2026 New Zealand Marathon Championships following a record turnout in this year's event.

The Whanganui 3 Bridges Marathon had its biggest turnout last weekend, with three course records and an announcement that it will host the New Zealand Marathon Championships in 2026.

“[We] put on another great event,” race co-organiser Rob Conder said.

Sunday’s event had more than 1200 participants across the six distances – full marathon, half-marathon, quarter-marathon, 5km individual race, 5km team relay race and 1.2km kids’ race.

The marathon had 120 runners, up from the average 70-80 runners in previous years. The event had never before surpassed 100 participants.

Whanganui builder Tom Francis won the marathon after having the fastest predicted time. He finished in 2h 48m 10s.

The first female finisher was Anita Chan, of Palmerston North, with a time of 3h 29m 24s.

Three course records in the half-marathon and 5km were beaten on Sunday. Whanganui’s Phillipa Williams set a women’s course record in the half marathon with a time of 1h 22m 05s.

Adam Larkin, of Lower Hutt, set a men’s course record in the 5km race with a time of 17m 36s. Decorated Whanganui runner Sally Gibbs beat the women’s record on the 5km course with a time of 18m 55s.

“It was a great day,” race co-organiser Paula Conder said.

Along with records, several competitors met fundraising goals.

Nathan Mckinley, who finished second in the marathon, raised more than $2000 for the Mitre 10 Mega Future Champions Trust – an organisation that helps young Whanganui athletes achieve their dreams in sport.

Paramedics from St John Whanganui Ambulance Station ran in uniform as part of their fundraising efforts. Cadets carried donation buckets posted along the course to collect for St John.

The Cancer Society had a fundraising stand.

Paula Conder said it was “definitely bigger than we’ve ever had before”.

It was an event for everyone, with many families participating together, she said. Competitors ranged in age from 4 years to multiple over-80-year-olds.

The course started and finished in Kōwhai Park for the second year in a row.

“They really enjoyed the atmosphere ... around the finish line,” Paula Conder said.

“People said that it felt like such a nice, park-like atmosphere, almost like a fair situation.”

The weather was warm but clear through the morning, with showers beginning after the medals ceremony, she said.

The event included the announcement that the 3 Bridges Marathon will host the 2026 New Zealand Marathon Championships.

“The event itself will just be exactly the same as what people were enjoying this year,” Paula Conder said.

Next year’s event will draw potentially even higher volumes of participants and higher-calibre athletes aiming to win New Zealand titles.

All distances will be offered in 2026 but only the marathon will be part of the championships.

“We still will have all our different divisions and different race distances for a variety of people to enjoy and the walks as well,” Paula Conder said.

“Just for the marathon run section only, athletics clubs from around New Zealand will be invited to have their athletes come and compete at the marathon.”

To qualify for a New Zealand Marathon Championship title, athletes must be registered with Athletics New Zealand. Unregistered athletes, regardless of finishing place, will not be eligible for a championship medal.

The championship may draw a faster lead group and had a good chance at setting new course records, Paula Conder said.

“It might be quite a spectacle for people to watch because there might be more of a battle out the front of people trying to win the race.”