Auckland Half Marathon and Marathon.

Location Devonport, North Shore, Auckland.

Website http://www.aucklandmarathon.co.nz/

Type Run or walk.

Distances Quarter, half and full marathon.

Time of Year End of October/beginning of November.

Goodie Bag Lots of sponsor's products.

Course refreshments Water at the early drinks stations, and water and Powerade at later drinks stations.

Post-race refreshments Bottles of Powerade, bananas, food available to buy.

Post race details Finishes at Victoria Park in Auckland.

Prizegiving I have never stayed for this, so don't know. This event is unique in that it will courier any spot prizes to winners even if they are not present at prize giving.

Finisher's medal No. (Possibly yes for marathon finishers, but I have not done the full marathon).

Competed in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.

Details

The biggest half-marathon/marathon in New Zealand. This one is famous for allowing runners to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge by foot, which is usually not permitted, although hopefully pedestrian access is not too far away.

This is usually a very nice half marathon to run, although with the sheer number of competitors, a PB is unlikely unless you manage to get a starting position near the front of the crowd.

There are some hills, especially from Devonport to Takapuna, Northcote Shopping Centre to Onewa Road, and of course the Bridge itself, but for the most part the joy of being part of such a large event will carry you through it.

Crossing the Bridge is obviously a highlight, but also around the 19 km mark, when running past the tank farm and looking to the left across Waitemata Harbour to Marine Parade in Devonport and the start line gives a strong sense of satisfaction.

Race pack bags will be transported from the start line to the finish line by Pace Couriers, which is great to get the warm clothing from start to finish. The event begins just after 6, so warm clothing is required initially.

Queues for portaloos are long, and if you haven't reached the front of a queue by the time it starts, you may be better off running the first 2.5 km to the public toilets at the first drink station.

If it is wet, pop a hole in the bottom of a plastic rubbish bag, a couple of holes in the side for your arms, and you have a thermal rain coat until the start which can be ditched at the first rubbish bin.

There always seem to be a large number of competitors (almost invariably women), who run the event with a warm heavy jacket tied around their waist. Don't even consider it - the chafing will be present for a week. Take/buy a disposable warm garment if you need to and ditch it when the race starts.

The marathon follows the same course as the half marathon., but at Victoria Park heads out towards Kohimarama before returning to Victoria Park.