Athletics New Zealand has announced the New Zealand Half Marathon Championships will be held in conjunction with the 2017 ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon on November 18.

The New Zealand Half Marathon Championships attract some of New Zealand best runners and, with the Kerikeri half a largely flat course, personal bests are likely. The New Zealand Championships will also include a large number of Masters runners aged from 35 years through to 80 years-plus, with each competing for New Zealand titles in their respective five-year age brackets.

Athletics New Zealand Events Manager Gareth Archer says they are excited to bring a national championship event back to Northland.

“The ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon is a ‘must do’ for runners and we encourage our members from throughout New Zealand to book the date into their calendars and head north to experience the magic of the Bay of Islands.”
Entries opened on May 17 with Sport Northland predicting the ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon will again boost the local economy over race weekend. Last year close to 1000 participants entered from outside the Northland region.
Sport Northland Events Manager Azelia Parkinson says, “The ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon is an iconic Northland event that year-on-year grows in size. To now showcase it as the New Zealand Half Marathon Championships is wonderful.”

The ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon has longstanding records with Auckland-based Seaton Meredith who has held the men’s half marathon record since 1999 when he finished in 1:05:14.

Northland’s Mary Davies, who became a well-known athlete on the international circuit, has held the women’s record since 2003 when she finished in a time of 1:15:19.

Sport Northland and ASB have teamed up with The Cancer Society and St John as the official charities of the ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon.

ASB Northland regional manager Glen Hardham says he is delighted the ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon will benefit two charities, including ASB’s longstanding charity partner St John.

“Throughout New Zealand, ASB and St John enjoy a great relationship. We’re thrilled to support them again at the premier running event in Northland that now doubles as the New Zealand Half Marathon Championships,” Mr Hardham says.

The 21.1 kilometre race will once again be followed by the iconic Kerikeri Street Party. The popular street party closes the main street for food stalls to line the footpath as local bands and dance groups perform throughout the street.

To find out more about the ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon and to enter, visit Click here or contact Sport Northland.