Queenstown Marathon

Location: Queenstown

Country:  New Zealand
Website:  https://queenstown-marathon.co.nz/
2025 Marathon Date:  15/11/2025
2026 Marathon Date:  14/11/2026
Winning Time 2025: 2:25:02

% Sub-3s:  2-5%
# Sub-3s:  50-99
Total Runners: 1-3k

The Queenstown Marathon is widely known as the “World’s Most Beautiful Marathon,” offering a point-to-point journey through the alpine and lakeside landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Remarkables and Crown mountain ranges, the race blends runnable terrain with some of the most striking scenery found in any marathon worldwide. Its appeal lies not only in natural beauty but also in its accessible, largely flat profile, which contrasts with the ruggedness of the surrounding environment.

The marathon begins at Millbrook Resort, an expansive luxury estate near Arrowtown, before heading onto smooth hard-packed trails that form the backbone of the course. Early kilometres guide runners through Arrowtown, a preserved gold-mining settlement that provides a distinctive historical character to the opening stages. From there, the route begins to showcase Queenstown’s signature landscapes. Runners follow trails around Lake Hayes, move alongside the Arrow River and later cross the Shotover River, experiencing uninterrupted views that shift between lakes, farmland and alpine vistas.

Much of the middle section unfolds along the Twin Rivers Trail and Frankton Arm Walkway — undulating but consistently runnable paths that reveal panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu. The balance of terrain is a defining aspect of the event: approximately 70 percent of the race is run on firm, groomed trails, with the remaining 30 percent on sealed roads. While the elevation profile is described as easy-running and mostly flat, the mixed surfaces introduce a light variation in rhythm compared with major road marathons. With a total elevation gain of around 375 metres, the course remains swift, though its off-road character provides a subtle but noticeable difference in feel.

In the final kilometres, runners trace the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu before entering Queenstown itself. A loop through the Queenstown Gardens delivers a scenic final flourish ahead of the finish at the Queenstown Recreation Ground, where mountainous horizons frame the closing stretch.

The Queenstown Marathon attracts thousands of domestic and international runners, contributing significantly to the region’s tourism economy. With marathon, half marathon, 10 km and kids’ run options, the event has become a bucket-list experience — a rare combination of runnable terrain, welcoming atmosphere and world-class scenery.