Course & Elevation

This iconic New Zealand marathon runs from the Tasman Sea coast to the Pacific Ocean coast across the South Island's West Coast region. The course traverses through native forest, over challenging hills, and alongside the scenic Grey River valley, offering runners one of the most dramatic landscape transitions in marathon racing.

Surface: road Profile: Hilly

Weather

Temperature 18°C

Humidity 75%

Rain Chance 65%

February is late summer in New Zealand with mild temperatures and moderate to high rainfall. Runners should expect variable conditions with possible wind and wet trails.

The Race

Kumara

Race Lore

Born in the Running Boom

1983 Origin

The Coast to Coast was founded in 1983, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 43 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Kumara, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

The Hills That Break You

Course

With 1200m of elevation gain, the Coast to Coast is not a course for the faint-hearted. The climbs are where races are won and lost — where the gap between training and undertrained reveals itself without mercy. Locals say the course doesn't beat you; it just waits for you to beat yourself.

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Registration

Registration Opens September

Registration Closes January

Entry Cost NZD 180-220

Official Website →

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Fun Facts

▸ Coast to Coast connects the Tasman Sea on the west coast to the Pacific Ocean on the east coast, making it one of the few marathons that literally runs from coast to coast.
▸ The race has been held continuously since 1983, making it one of New Zealand's oldest and most iconic marathon events.
▸ The surrounding West Coast region is home to the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, accessed via the same mountain passes runners traverse during the race.
▸ February is summer in New Zealand, creating unique conditions with long daylight hours and native rainforest scenery that is dramatically different from Northern Hemisphere marathons.

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