26 January 2023: Arrival in Tairawhiti Gisborne
All participants will arrive in Tairawhiti Gisborne either by a domestic flight or by bus. There are several options for domestic flights and buses. Tairawhiti Gisborne is about a 6/7 hour drive or a 1 hour flight from Auckland. Alternatively, guests might consider renting a car if you plan on doing a bigger tour around the island. If participants choose to fly to the local Tair?whiti Gisborne airport, transport to the hotel is included.
Around 18:00, all runners will gather for a short shakeout run guided by your tour guide. The run will be a maximum of 5km at a relaxed pace, perfect for starting to get familiar with the beautiful surroundings. After the run, the group will gather for complimentary beer, where you can get to know your fellow marathon participants and raise a glass to the beginning of our Aotearoa New Zealand adventure.
Later in the evening, you can join an optional excursion, "Gisborne Astro Tours," where you will get to admire the celestial wonders of the Southern Hemisphere. An accomplished astronomer will be your guide to the starry constellations above.
Meals: Not included
27 January 2023: Traditional Pawhiri and Hanga
Early this morning, there is another optional excursion on offer, "Stingray Encounter," in Tatapouri. During this excursion, you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with stingrays and other reef dwellers on a reef ecology tour. We'll be back to the hotels in time for the rest of the day's activities.
All participants will get together in the late morning for a traditional Maori welcome ceremony, known as a pawhiri. A pawhiri is a special ritual of encounter and the perfect way for us to experience Maori traditions. It usually takes place at the Maori meeting grounds, called a marae. The ceremony involves singing, dancing, speeches and hongi (pressing of noses in greeting).
After the ceremony, we will enjoy a hanga, the traditional way of Maori cooking using heated rocks buried in an underground oven.
Race bags will be handed out during lunch, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to soak in the cultural attractions of the city, hit the beaches, or stretch your muscles on a hike.
Meals: Continental Breakfast brought to your room * and lunch
* At Emerald Hotel a full breakfast at the hotel restaurant is included
28 January 2023: Race Day
Today's the big day!
After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will make your way to the start line, just a short walk away. At the start line, a group of Maori will herald in the new day with Taonga paoro, traditional Maori instruments. As the first light of day crests the horizon, you'll set off with music and excitement thrumming through your body.
Both the marathon and half-marathon begin at 06:30. Both races will end at 13:30.
Route description
Both the marathon and half-marathon runners will begin on the boardwalk next to Midway Beach. The race starts just before sunrise, and participants will follow the boardwalk out of Tairawhiti Gisborne until the first hills are reached. As runners crest the first hill, they'll be rewarded with a view of the sun slowly rising out over the Pacific Ocean. You will be among the first people in the world to greet the new day as the sun illuminates the landscape around you.
Both marathon and half-marathon runners will face a series of short, steep hills once they are out of the city. The race is a mix of single-track trails, roads, and off-road surfaces. Half-marathon runners will loop through the hills back toward the city, while marathon runners head out to Wainui Beach for roughly a kilometer through the sand next to the sparkling waves. Then, marathon runners will head back into the hills to tackle even more challenging climbs until they once again reach Tairawhiti Gisborne.
Both half-marathon and marathon runners will finish the race on the same boardwalk where the race began, running onto Midway Beach for some well-deserved rest and refreshments.
Note: Do not forget that this is first and foremost an adventure. We are far away from comforts of home and this makes it impossible to offer services at the same level usually provided in city marathons.
In the evening you can meet other runners at Sunshine Brewery, a boutique brewery from the East Coast, and share your winnings and impressions of today’s run while tasting local top quality beer. The first beer is on us.
Meals: Continental Breakfast brought to your room & a light lunch at the finish line.
28 January 2023: Optional Excursions & Celebration Dinner
Today, you will have the day free to explore Gisborne at your own pace, or you might opt to join one of our exciting excursions. There will be several optional excursions today. The first option is the morning "Stingray Encounter" excursion in Tatapouri. During this excursion, you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with stingrays and other reef dwellers. If you choose to do this, then you may also join a "Learn to Surf Class" in the afternoon, where you will learn all the basics needed to crush the waves.
The second optional excursion is a tour to Maunga Hikurangi, a sacred mountain of the Ngati Porou people. It is the first point on the mainland to see the sunrise each day. A Ngati Porou guide will teach us about the M?ori traditions and share the stories of this sacred place, and its nine whakairo (carvings). If you choose this excursion, you will not be able to combine it with any other excursions as it will take the full day.
The third option is a walking tour of Tolaga Bay and Cooks Cove. Cooks Cove is named after Captain James Cook, who stopped here in 1769 during his circumnavigation of New Zealand. This excursion will also take the full day, and thus cannot be combined with other options.
Finally, two "Learn to Surf" classes will be offered - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Whether you're a complete beginner or you just need to refresh your skills, our skilled instructors will have you riding the waves in no time.
In the evening all participants will be driven out to the celebration dinner at a local vineyard. Together, we'll toast our accomplishments and enjoy a delicious meal while the sun sets over the vineyard.
Meals: Continental Breakfast brought to your room * and Celebration Dinner
* At Emerald Hotel a full breakfast at the hotel restaurant is included
30 January 2023: Farewell Gisborne or Hello Extension
Sadly, it is time to say goodbye to Tairawhiti Gisborne. After check-out, you'll bid farewell to Aotearoa New Zealand - transfer to the domestic airport is included. Alternatively, if you're not quite ready to say goodbye, join us for an exciting 6-day extension!
Meals: Continental Breakfast brought to your room *
* At Emerald Hotel a full breakfast at the hotel restaurant is included
