2026 Wellington Marathon - Jun 28 Countdown

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Race Information

Race	2026 Wellington Marathon - Jun 28
City	Wellington
Date	2026-06-28 at 07:00
Field Size	~470 runners
Time Limit	6 hours
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland
Official Site	Wellington Marathon Clinic / Wellington Marathon
Registration	Register · 155 NZD

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	9°C / 48°F
Humidity	85%
Wind	28 km/h
Rain Chance	45%
Typical Conditions	Late June is mid-winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and Wellington is New Zealand's windiest city. Expect race-morning temperatures of 6–11°C (avg ~9°C / 48°F), ~85% humidity, frequent winter showers (~45% chance) and strong, gusty southerlies averaging ~28 km/h along the exposed harbour waterfront.

What to Prepare: Dress for cold, wet, windy conditions: a light wind/rain shell, gloves and a cap make a big difference on the open Oriental Parade and Evans Bay stretches. The southerly can hit head-on on the return leg — bank energy and run a smart even or negative split. Check your kit against our Weather Score tool.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 28 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course Type	Two-lap out-and-back — the full marathon repeats the half-marathon waterfront loop twice (same start/finish at Hnry Stadium)
Elevation Gain	30m
Terrain	Sealed road and waterfront walkway. A scenic harbour tour past the CBD, Te Papa, Oriental Parade, Evans Bay, the Miramar Peninsula and Queens Wharf.
Profile	Pancake-flat and IAAF/AIMS-certified — only ~30m total elevation gain, with the single notable rise being the ramp into Hnry Stadium at the finish. One of New Zealand's fastest marathon courses.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Wellington Marathon - Jun 28

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

Running Pace Calculator — Min/km, Finish Time & Pace Chart

Free running pace calculator for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. Get min/km or min/mile, your ...

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Free Pace Band Generator — Printable Race Day Wristband

Free printable pace band for marathon, half marathon, or custom distance. Choose even, negative, or ...

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Marathon Wake-Up Time Calculator — Race Morning Timeline

7 AM race, wake at 3:45 AM? Enter the gun time; we work backward through meal, gear, bathroom, warm-...

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Dew Point Running Calculator — Pace Adjustment Chart

Enter temperature and humidity to calculate dew point and its impact on your running pace. 7-zone ch...

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Wind Effect on Running — How Much Does Wind Slow You?

How much does a headwind actually slow you down? This free calculator turns wind speed and direction...

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Marathon Predictor — 5K, 10K & Half Marathon Race Predictor

Free marathon predictor — convert your 5K, 10K, or half marathon time into race-day estimates from R...

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Frequently Asked Questions

When and what time is the 2026 Wellington Marathon?

The Gazley Volkswagen Wellington Marathon is held on Sunday 28 June 2026. Stadium gates open at 6:00am, with the marathon walk starting at 7:00am and the marathon run at 7:30am from the Hnry Stadium Walkway.

How much does it cost and how do I enter?

Entry is open (no ballot) via the EventPlus platform linked from wellingtonmarathon.co.nz. Super-early pricing starts from around NZD$95 (until 1 January), rising to roughly NZD$155 for late entries (2–22 June). Online entries close at 12 noon on 24 June 2026, with race-pack pickup on 27 June.

Is the Wellington Marathon a good course for a Boston Qualifier?

Yes. It is one of New Zealand's fastest courses — flat, IAAF/AIMS-certified, with only ~30m of elevation gain — making it a strong PB and BQ target. Check your goal time against the current standards with our Boston Qualifying calculator, then plan your splits with the Pace Calculator.

What is the course like?

The full marathon completes two laps of the half-marathon out-and-back route — repeating the same waterfront loop twice. Each lap starts and finishes at Hnry Stadium, heading south on Waterloo Quay and touring the capital's harbour bays — past the CBD, Te Papa, Oriental Parade, Evans Bay, the Miramar Peninsula and Queens Wharf. Because it is two laps, there is a first-lap cutoff at 22.2km (11:00am). The only real climb is the short ramp into the stadium at the finish.

What is the cutoff time?

The marathon has a 6-hour course time limit. The early-start walk option (7:00am) gives slower participants extra buffer to complete the distance within the official cutoff.

What is the weather usually like on race day?

Late June is mid-winter. Expect 6–11°C, high humidity, a real chance of rain showers and strong southerly winds — Wellington is New Zealand's windiest city. Pack a wind/rain shell, gloves and a cap, and prepare for gusts along the exposed waterfront.