NBS Nelson Marathon 42.2km

Marathon 42.2km - age 16 upwards - entry $80 per person

The Marathon Course

The start line is a 250m walk from the Livibrook Complex, through the underpass to the northern side of the Richmond Deviation. Please note that the trail is open to other uses (walkers, runners & cyclists) and you must take care at all times. There are 4 short sections where the trail shares a roadway and several road crossings - please be conscious of vehicles, pay attention to marshals and give way where necessary - you do not have right of way.

The course heads north following the shared use Great Taste Trail towards Moturoa/Rabbit Island with the backdrop of the Mt Arthur range. There will be arrows and marshals to point you in the right direction. 

At 9.5km you reach the swing bridge across the Waimea River. This bridge has a load capacity of 11 persons. It is difficult to maintain a run across this bridge and it is advised that you speed walk across it especially if other uses are present on the bridge. You may meet 2-way foot traffic & bikes on the bridge. Marshals will be controlling either end of the bridge and may ask you to wait.

Keep following the trail until you reach the Rough Island road bridge, where you will be crossed over the main Rabbit Island access road. Cross the bridge and pass the Tic Toc Rd water station.

Shortly after crossing the causeway onto Moturoa/Rabbit Island, a marshal will turn you left onto the Motorua Trails heading in a clockwise direction.

At the 17.5km mark a marshal will turn you right into the central section of the forestry for a 4.5km loop over slightly rougher terrain. There will be short sections of sandy terrain, uneven terrain and a few very small undulations, plus sections a wide flat forestry roads. There is a water station in the forestry at the 20km mark. At 22kms you will re-join the main Moturoa Trail around the island. 

There is a water station & toilet on the beachfront at 26km. 

At 30km you will reach the Tic Toc Rd water station and re-join the Great Taste Trail heading back towards the Finish line covering familiar territory. On the return journey the tide will have changed, the light will be different, the backdrop of hills will now be of the Richmond ranges and the temperatures will have risen. Depending on your pace, you may meet or overtake members of the other events - you all finish in the same place, in the car park outside Eddyline Pizzeria.

Parking

There are several places close to the Livibrook Complex (Jennian Homes, Eddyline Pizzeria & Hubbers) for parking vehicles during the event. See the map below:

• In the car parks around the Livibrook Complex.

• In Garin College

• Next to Avery Field

• By the Velodrome

• In Waimea College & bus bay

• Along Arbor-Lea Ave & Maple Crescent