Thousands Set To Run Scenic Queenstown Marathon This Weekend
More than 11,000 registered runners are set to descend on the Queenstown Lakes District this Saturday, 18 November for the ninth edition of the one the world’s most beautiful marathons.
The New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Queenstown Marathon is a popular destination event, bringing thousands of athletes and their supporters to the region for a weekend of running, exploring, and indulging in the finest food and wine.
With nearly 90% of athletes attending the event coming from outside of the Queenstown Lakes District, and more than 15% of those from overseas, the event is expected to inject around $20 million into the regional economy over the coming week.
Keegan McCauley, Queenstown Marathon Race Director, said the event provides a great opportunity for runners to spend the weekend in this incredible region centred around being active.
“We are just days away from the return of the Queenstown Marathon and can’t wait to welcome thousands of athletes and their supporters to this stunning part of the world,” said McCauley.
“The event has a fantastic mix of social runners and walkers who are out for a fun morning right up to elites chasing titles and fast times,” he said. “Between the beautiful trails and scenery, friendly atmosphere and idyllic location, this event is perfect for friends and family wanting to enjoy being part of a large-scale event while soaking in the best the region has to offer throughout their weekend spent in the Queenstown Lakes District.”
While the Queenstown Marathon is an event that focuses on runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, it does attract some of New Zealand’s leading distance runners. Most notably, reigning women’s marathon champion Hannah Oldroyd will return to defend her title.
The Queenstown Marathon will see thousands of runners take on one of four distances, with the New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Marathon, La Roche Posay Half Marathon, Havana Coffee 10km and Queenstown Airport Kids Run all on offer.
The courses take in the best highlights of the region including Millbrook, Arrowtown, Arrow River, Lake Hayes, Old Shotover Bridge, Twin Rivers trail, Lake Wakatipu, and Queenstown Gardens.
Title partner New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty will bring back their popular on-course Open Home activation for the 2023 event, which will once again see athletes run through the exclusive marquee located by Public Beach Reserve along Shoreline Road, Frankton with stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.
Managing Director and Co-Founder of New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty, Mark Harris, said the event is an important one for both participants and the Queenstown Lakes District region.
“We’re really looking forward to this years event. After a tough few years for tourism in the southern lakes, the New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Queenstown Marathon is attracting over 11,000 registered runners and an expected injection of $20 million to local business operators. It’s a unique combination of health and wellbeing, positivity, and revenue generation for the region,” he said.
The 2023 Queenstown Marathon gets underway on Saturday with the Havana Coffee 10km from 7:30am. The La Roche Posay Half Marathon begins at 8.00am followed by the New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Marathon at 8.20am. The last event of the day is the Queenstown Airport Kids Run which kicks off at 1.00pm.
Heading into Saturday, the Queenstown Marathon team has put together some of the interesting numbers that make up this year’s event.
- Over 11,000 registered athletes are taking part across four distances
- More females (58%) than males are taking part (42%)
- Average age of those participating is 38
- 69% are taking part in the event for the first time
- 89% of participants are travelling to the event from outside the Queenstown-Lakes District
- Canterbury (23%) is the most represented region, followed by Otago (20%) and Auckland (16%)
- Entrants represent 88 different countries
- International athletes make up 17% of entries
- The oldest participant is 88 years old, while there are multiple youngest competitors at five years old
- The event is expected to inject around $20 million in economic benefit to the region
- 700 volunteers will help make the 2023 Queenstown Marathon a success
