Triathlon
TriathlonNew Zealand
IRONMAN New Zealand
Taupō, Bay of Plenty·Date to be confirmed
The southern hemisphere's oldest IRONMAN, raced on the shores of Lake Taupō.
RunningNew Zealand
Queenstown Marathon
Queenstown, Otago·Date to be confirmed·Marathon / Half Marathon / 10 km / Kids Marathon
Col de Sud is an independent coaching and information platform. Event details may change. Always confirm dates, entry requirements and course information with the official event organiser.
Quick Information
At a glance.
Location
📍 Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand
Usually Held
🗓 Mid November
2026 Event Date
Date to be confirmed
Distances
Marathon · Half Marathon · 10 km · Kids Marathon
Course Type
Mixed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Entries
Date to be confirmed
Official Website
Last Updated
November 2025
Countdown
Race date to be confirmed
Preparing for this event?
Recommended plan: 16 Week Marathon Build.
- ✔Scenic marathoners
- ✔Trail-curious road runners
- ✔Second marathon
Overview
The event.
The Queenstown Marathon threads runners through some of New Zealand's most photographed landscape — Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau and Shotover rivers, and the Remarkables mountain range. The course is largely off-road on gravel trails and paths, making it a hybrid road/trail event with fast, runnable footing but a genuinely scenic mountain backdrop. Held in mid November, it also functions as the final long-distance goal race for the New Zealand season.
Small-town warmth, alpine views, spring flowers, and a finish line surrounded by the Southern Alps in Queenstown Gardens.
Who it suitsMarathoners who want the scenery of a trail race with the pacing of a road race.
Distances
Marathon
Half Marathon
10 km
Kids Marathon
Course Breakdown
The route.
- Course profile
- Rolling. Around 300m of total elevation.
- Surface
- 70% gravel trail, 30% sealed road.
- Elevation
- To be confirmed
- Aid stations
- Every 3km with water, sports drink and gels.
- Expected conditions
- Spring alpine — 6–18°C with variable weather.
Difficulty Snapshot
Col de Sud assessment.
Endurance
Climbing
Technical
Weather exposure
Beginner suitability
General Col de Sud assessment — not an official event rating.
Typical Conditions
What to expect.
- Temperature
- 6–18°C
- Humidity
- Low
- Wind
- Light–moderate
- Rain likelihood
- Possible
- Water temperature
- TBC
- Altitude
- 310m base
How to Train
Preparing your body.
Recommended preparation
16 weeks with hybrid road/trail long runs.
Long sessions
Long runs to 32km with 300–500m elevation.
Strength training
Weekly single-leg and calf strength.
Recovery
One rest, one easy day per week.
Course-specific prep
Practise gravel footing and gentle undulation — the course rewards steady pacing.
Nutrition practice
Rehearse gel-based fuelling on gravel to test GI tolerance.
Equipment testing
Lightweight trail-road hybrid shoes work best for many runners.
Key weekly sessions
- — Long run on rolling gravel
- — Threshold on flat
- — Marathon-pace tempo
- — 2 easy runs
Race Weekend Guide
Plan your trip.
Travel
Queenstown Airport (ZQN) direct flights from most Australian cities and Auckland.
Accommodation
Central Queenstown or Frankton — both walking distance to the finish precinct.
Packet collection
Friday and Saturday at the Queenstown event hub.
Parking
Limited in central Queenstown — walk or shuttle to the start.
Public transport
Free event shuttle buses from Queenstown to the marathon start at Millbrook.
Weather
Spring — cool morning, warmer finish. Bring a throwaway warm layer.
What to pack
Bib, gels, sunglasses, sunscreen, warm layer.
Nutrition
Book Saturday-night dinner early — Queenstown fills up on race weekend.
Recovery
Onsen Hot Pools overlooking the Shotover River is a runner favourite.
Local cafés
Vudu Café or Bespoke Kitchen for the ultimate Queenstown brunch.
After the race
Stay a few extra days for a Milford Sound day trip, Ben Lomond hike or Cardrona ride.
Frequently Asked
Questions we hear.
Is the Queenstown Marathon on trails or roads?+
Roughly 70% is on gravel trails and 30% on sealed road, but the footing is fast and runnable throughout.
How hilly is the course?+
Rolling with around 300m of elevation gain — noticeable but not brutal.
What time of year is it?+
Mid November — southern-hemisphere spring.
Is it suitable for a first marathon?+
Yes with proper preparation, though it is more challenging than a flat road marathon like Gold Coast.
How do I get to the start?+
Free event shuttles run from central Queenstown to the marathon start at Millbrook.
Col de Sud Coaching
Train for your next mountain.
Preparing for this event? Col de Sud can help you build a realistic plan around your fitness, experience, work and family commitments.
Related Events
You might also consider.
Triathlon
TriathlonNew Zealand
Challenge Wānaka
Wānaka, Otago·Date to be confirmed
Alpine half and full-distance racing in the Southern Lakes.
Running
RunningAustralia
Gold Coast Marathon
Gold Coast, Queensland·Date to be confirmed
Fast, flat coastal marathon on the Gold Coast — famous for personal bests and IAAF Gold Label status.
Marathon · Half Marathon · 10 km · 5.7 km Challenge · Junior Dash 4 km · Junior Dash 2 km
Last details checked: November 2025