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Local organisations, clubs, courses and more
Running
The flat, wide streets and many parks of Christchurch offer runners numerous training and recreational opportunities. The city has a long history of running events and clubs — the Takahe to Akaroa relay is one of New Zealand’s oldest road relays, having been run almost continuously since 1935.
Events
Regular events are held throughout the year. Examples include the Port Hills 5k series around Hagley Park, the SBS Pier2Pier series of runs along New Brighton Beach, and the City2Surf fun run. Throw in the many triathlons and the competitive athletics scene and you have a city that is truly on the run.
SBS Marathon
The annual SBS Christchurch Marathon takes place on the Sunday of Queens Birthday Weekend. Based on the picturesque Avon River course — the setting of the 1974 Commonwealth Games marathon — the race starts and finishes at the Christchurch Town Hall. It follows the twists and turns of the river out to Avondale and back (twice), loops through Hagley Park, and is considered one of the fastest marathon courses in the world.
Today the event has grown to a giant celebration of running and walking, for competition and for personal fitness challenges. Runners and walkers can test themselves over the half marathon and 10km as well as the marathon and the Kids Mara’fun runs over 2.5km and 5km.
In 2011 the marathon was run over a course at Lincoln because of earthquake damage to the traditional route.
City2Surf
This annual run has been raced since the 1970s, attracting large crowds. The 12km race starts in Cathedral Square and finishes at QEII Park. A course map is available on the City2Surf website. Pioneering ultra-distance runner Don Cameron — who ran from ran from Sydney to Melbourne in 11 days to promote the 1974 Commonwealth Games —played a key role in establishing the event.
Tracks and training
There are many paths and tracks around the city — favourite venues for running in Christchurch include Hagley Park, Bottle Lake Forest, Victoria Park and the Port Hills.
If running sounds too energetic, Christchurch has a range of walking programmes and walkways.
Running resources
Canterbury running clubs and organisations from CINCH, our community information directory
Commonwealth Games 1974
The 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch featured a feast of famous runners. New Zealander Dick Tayler set the Games alight by winning the 10,000-metre race on the opening day. Don Quarrie from Jamaica blasted the competition away with two sprint titles.
On the closing day Tanzania's Filbert Bayi won the 1500 metres after an epic battle with New Zealand’s John Walker — both men broke the world record. The national records of five countries Tanzania, Kenya, Australia, Great Britian and New Zealand — were all broken in this race.
The marathon was won by Ian Thompson of England in a time of 2 hours 9 minutes and 12 seconds (2 hours 15 minutes and 12 seconds set by Christchurch’s Tom Birnie in 1985 is the SBS marathon record).
Our Internet Gateway links
Athletics and running websites in our Internet Gateway, including:
- ACC Active Smart
- Personalised running, walking and cycling plans
- Athletics Canterbury
- Regional body responsible for competitive athletics in the Canterbury area
- Athletics New Zealand
- Governing body of athletics in New Zealand
- Map My Run
- Interactive website to map your favourite routes, and view other peoples' maps
- CoolRunning
- New Zealand runners website – news, events, articles
- International Association of Athletics Federations
- Governing body of international athletics
- Runners World
- American running website. Information about races, training and equipment.
- Starting Out Running
- Useful information from Active Canterbury
