Running Events, organisers of the Auckland Half Marathon Series, have finally revealed the thrilling course chosen for the Harcourts Cooper & Co Hobsonville Half Marathon, a new event which joins the series in 2027 as Round Four. The course is set to include Hobsonville Point’s famous “Little Loop” coastal track as well as crossing over State Highway 16 for a tranquil rural section around Whenuapai aerodrome. The course is book-ended to the north with a complete loop around unique Herald Island.

The superb new half marathon route has been especially challenging to secure, as explained by Race Director, Rob Docherty.

“We have been working with local and national authorities since mid-March to get this route approved,” he explained. “We knew that to provide the absolute best race experience, we needed to close the SH16 on/off ramp at Squadron Drive. It is a challenging – and expensive – enterprise to close a motorway off-ramp and it does not come easily. We are so grateful to Waka Kotahi, Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and the Upper Harbour Local Board for supporting us. Our athletes should be in no doubt, without the support of these organisations the event just would not happen.”

Closing off such a major piece of infrastructure does come with some conditions, however, and it will be an early start for all concerned.

“With the event taking place slap-bang in the middle of January, we’ll be taking advantage of the light mornings and cooler temperatures to make an early start,” Docherty explained.

This will see the half marathon setting off at 7am – 30 minutes earlier than most events in Auckland Half Marathon Series. The 10k and 5k will then follow at 7:45am and 8:30am respectively, meaning all participants can be crossed back over Squadron Drive in time for the motorway access to re-open at 9:15am.

 

The first ever event is set down for January 17th, 2027 and race entry is now open. It’s time to fly at the Harcourts Cooper & Co Hobsonville Half Marathon.

For more information, course maps and to sign up, head over to hobsonville.werun.nz.