Free entry offered for Coromandel students to Aon Whitianga Marathon

The Aon Whitianga Marathon is an event for all ages and abilities 

If you are looking for serious competition, or a more leisurely pace students, friends or family groups are invited to enter for run or walk categories ranging from a 5km fun run right up to the premier 42km marathon. And, new to the event for 2022 is the Cooks Beach Half Track and Trail 22.5km, for those that enjoy a bit of off-road or trail running!

We believe that taking part in our event has great physical and mental health benefits and want to share these for free amongst our Coromandel youth.Thanks to our partner Aon Insurance Brokers, all Coromandel school children get to run free. And, with a great selection of walk and run options there is plenty for individuals, friends and family to choose from to get involved. 

Nick Reader – Event Organiser Element Events 

How do Coromandel students enter for free? 

It's easy and only takes two minutes for Coromandel school students to enter for free by going to the Whitianga Marathon online entry page to:

1. Fill in your registration details
2. Use free entry codes for each school as follows:
   • Mercury Bay Area School code: MBASMARATHON
   • Te Rererenga School code: TERRERENGASCHOOL
   • Tairua School code: TAIRUASCHOOLThames primary and secondary schools: THAMESSCHOOL
   • Whangamata Area School code: WHANGAMATASCHOOL
   • Coromandel Area School code: COROSCHOOL
   • Home schoolers: Hmeschlcoro  (Home Schooled kids).
3. You’re entered – see you at the event!

*Handy hint – If you are entering multiple competitors you can create a group.

If you are at a Coromandel school and have any questions or want your students to get involved get in contact with the Aon Whitianga Marathon organising team. 

Whitianga Marathon Course Details and Age Categories 

The Whitianga Marathon includes the following walk/run options:

• 5km - Buffalo Beach to Brophy’s beach
• 10km - Buffalo Beach, Whitianga Marina, Whitianga Harbour, Lovers Rock, backroads and back to beachfront
• 21km - Buffalo Beach, Whitianga Marina, Whitianga Harbour, Lovers Rock,Whitianga Waterways, South Highway, Joan Gaskell, Kupe Drive and back to Buffalo beach
• Cooks Beach ½ Marathon 22.5km - same as first half of marathon course, views of Mercury Bay, Shakespeare Cliff Reserve trails, Cooks Beach highlights including Purangi Estuary, off road forest trails, ferry back to Whitianga Buffalo and Brophys beach
• 42km Marathon -  first half same as above, and then on to the ferry to complete the second 21km in Whitianga.

Whitianga Marathon Age categories 

Taken in years of age on the day of the event as follows:

• 5-9 years
• 10-14
• 15-19
• 20-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70 plus.

What is Run for Good? 

The Whitianga Marathon event organisers want the Marathon event to have a really positive impact on the local  community. Their aim is to tread lightly on the environment by not using any cups at aid stations, using recycled wooden medals and donating to local environmental charities. They also provide fundraising opportunities for local groups including Pickleball, Waka Ama and the local Lions Club.

And, an integral to Run for Good is the chance to encourage all Coromandel Peninsula school children to enter and participate for free. 

For more information

For more information about the marathon and to download the course details go to the Sport and Recreation event pages on All About Whitianga.