First Light Marathon

First Light Marathon Race into the sun in spectacular Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Aotearoa New Zealand!

The First Light Marathon takes place in Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Aotearoa New Zealand, which is known for being the first city in the world to see the sun each day. Its spectacular coastline and densely forested parks provide a magical backdrop to this unique race. Runners will herald in the sunrise as they race along the beach and over the (many!) hills.

23/05/2026

7 days to go. 🏃‍♀️⏳

In one week from today, runners will be chasing the midnight sun across the glaciers of Ilulissat, Greenland. 🌅

The countdown is on — are you ready?

👉 Read more about the marathon: https://adventure-marathons.com/Icefjord_Midnight_Marathon

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Soft pink skies, glowing oranges, deep ocean blues, and golden light stretching across the coastline. 🌊🌸✨ At the First L...
04/05/2026

Soft pink skies, glowing oranges, deep ocean blues, and golden light stretching across the coastline. 🌊🌸✨
At the First Light Marathon in Gisborne, New Zealand, you’ll run through a breathtaking palette painted by the world’s first sunrise.

These are the colours of the First Light Marathon.
Are you ready to run through them?
👉 https://adventure-marathons.com/First_Light_Registration

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📅 23 January 2027
🏃‍♀️ Marathon, Half Marathon, 6K Fun-Run

100% Pure New Zealand
An official event by Albatros Adventure Marathons

The First Light Marathon takes place in and around the beautiful city of Gisborne, New Zealand. It is known for its stun...
10/04/2026

The First Light Marathon takes place in and around the beautiful city of Gisborne, New Zealand. It is known for its stunning surf beaches, local wineries, and breathtaking nature reserves.🏃‍♀️🌏

Gisborne and the surrounding East Cape are among the first places in the world to see the sunrise each day.
That’s why this marathon begins early in the morning: to give runners the chance to run under the very first light of the new day. ☀️

A marathon, a special sunrise, and a place like no other.
Isn’t that magical? ✨

📅 23 January 2027
🏃‍♀️ 42.2k / 21.1k / 6K Fun-Run

👉 Register here: https://adventure-marathons.com/First_Light_Registration

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100% Pure New Zealand
An official event by Albatros Adventure Marathons

You saw the sunrise. 🌅You felt the atmosphere.Now it’s your turn.Registration for the First Light Marathon 2027 is offic...
05/02/2026

You saw the sunrise. 🌅
You felt the atmosphere.
Now it’s your turn.

Registration for the First Light Marathon 2027 is officially OPEN. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Be part of an unforgettable race at the edge of the world — where the day begins, the coast unfolds, and every step leads into the first light.

📍 Gisborne, New Zealand
🗓️ 23 January 2027
🏃 Marathon | Half Marathon | 6K
🌅 Run the world’s first sunrise

Spots are limited. Secure yours now.
👉https://adventure-marathons.com/First-Light-Marathon
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100% Pure New Zealand
An official event by Albatros Adventure Marathons

03/02/2026

The 2026 sunrise was unforgettable. 🌅
Are you ready to be part of the 2027 story?

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!!!

🏃 Marathon • 🏃‍♀️ Half • 6K
📍 Gisborne, Aotearoa, New Zealand
🗓️ 23 January 2027
More information: https://adventure-marathons.com/TheFirstLightMarathon
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100% Pure New Zealand
An official event by Albatros Adventure Marathons

30/01/2026

🎥 The First Light Marathon 2026 Recap is LIVE! 🌅💛
Also available on our YouTube: https://youtu.be/lTemb1aO2_A
A huge thank you to everyone who made this incredible weekend possible:
💛 To all the runners, for your energy, determination, and bright smiles.
💛 To the supporters, volunteers, and local community, who cheered and brought warmth to the course.
💛 And to the organizing team, whose hard work and dedication made this unforgettable race experience come to life.
💛 Special thanks to Midway Surf Rescue Community Hub for their amazing support throughout the event week!
Together, you made the 2026 First Light Marathon a celebration of running, adventure, and community.
See you next year in Gisborne! 🇳🇿✨
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Cinematography - Damon Meade & Canaan Akuhata-Brown
Lead Edit - Canaan Akuhata-Brown
Additional Camera - Tom Teutenburg
Damon Meade Studio
Canaan Akuhata-Brown
Thomas Teutenberg
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100% Pure New Zealand

One sunrise wasn’t enough. 🌅A day on, and we’re still reliving the moments that made the First Light Marathon so special...
25/01/2026

One sunrise wasn’t enough. 🌅

A day on, and we’re still reliving the moments that made the First Light Marathon so special, the determination, the emotion, the smiles at the finish line, and everything in between.

From the first steps in the dark to crossing the line as the sun climbed higher, this race was about more than the run. It was about community, connection, and sharing an unforgettable experience at the edge of the world.

Swipe through our second photo drop and tag your running mates 👟

📸 Photos by:
Thomas Teutenberg (Instagram )
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100% Pure New Zealand
An offcial event by Albatros Adventure Marathons

What a morning. 🌅🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️As the sun rose over Gisborne, runners took on the First Light Marathon 2026 and crossed the fi...
24/01/2026

What a morning. 🌅🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

As the sun rose over Gisborne, runners took on the First Light Marathon 2026 and crossed the finish line with smiles, strength, and unforgettable stories. Months of training, early alarms, and a lot of heart came together in one incredible sunrise run.

To every runner out there: congratulations. You did it.
Thank you for bringing the energy, the emotion, and the magic to this very special morning.

The First Light Marathon 2026 ✨

📸 Photos by:
Damon Meade (Instagram )
Ellen Taylor (Instagram )
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100% Pure New Zealand
An official event by Albatros Adventure Marathons

Just hours to go. Tomorrow, we run into the first light. 🌅🏅Today, we were honoured with a traditional Māori pōwhiri, a p...
23/01/2026

Just hours to go. Tomorrow, we run into the first light. 🌅🏅

Today, we were honoured with a traditional Māori pōwhiri, a powerful welcome here in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, grounding us in place, culture, and connection on the eve of race day.

Alongside that welcome, we reveal this year’s First Light Marathon medal.
A symbol of the journey, the early mornings, the miles behind you, and the sunrise that awaits.

Rest well tonight. Take in the moment.
Tomorrow, you run for something bigger than the finish line.

One sunrise. One welcome. One unforgettable race.
📍 Gisborne, New Zealand
More information: https://adventure-marathons.com/TheFirstLightMarathon

📸: Photos by Damon Meade
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100% Pure New Zealand
An official event by Albatros Adventure Marathons

Fresh legs, smiling faces, and a very welcome change in the weather 🌤️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️Today marked the first day in Gisborne, wi...
22/01/2026

Fresh legs, smiling faces, and a very welcome change in the weather 🌤️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Today marked the first day in Gisborne, with runners arriving fresh and getting out for an easy shake-out run to loosen the legs and soak up the atmosphere. After days of rain and flooding, the skies have finally cleared, just in time for race weekend.

What a way to kick off our first race event of the year!

Energy is high, spirits are lifted, and the countdown is officially on.

Gisborne, we’re ready.
Race day is coming.

📸: Photos by Damon Meade
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100% Pure New Zealand
An official event by Albatros Adventure Marathons

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Tairāwhiti Gisborne
Gisborne

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+4536989838

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