New Zealand's Foremost Marathon Running Club
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The YMCA Marathon Club in Auckland is New Zealand's foremost marathon running & walking club. Our purpose is to help you achieve your distance running & walking goals. We have only once failed to get a new member across the finish line of their first marathon or half-marathon. And we've been going since 1977 so that's quite an achievement!
Our secret weapon in achieving this remarkable feat is our pack running system which follows Arthur Lydiard's formula "that long, even-pace running at a strong speed produces increased strength and endurance... and is beneficial to regular competition."
Each pack runs at a set pace and you choose the pack best suited to your ability and fitness level.
Rat pack (keep up if you can!)- 5's (5:00/km pace)
- 5¼'s (5:15/km pace)
- 5½'s (5:30/km pace)
- 5¾'s (5:45/km)
- 6's (6:00/km)
- 6¼'s (6:15/km)
- 6½'s (6:30/km)
- 7's (7:00/km)
- 8's (8:00/km)
- Walkers
Sunday running & walking times
We run & walk every Sunday morning at the times below. It pays to arrive 15 minutes early to get a park and get changed. We have great showers so bring a towel for after the run too.
In between build-ups the packs generally run for about 1½ hours. Don't worry if that sounds a lot more than you're used to or you're worried about holding the pack up - we stop for water every half hour, and traffic lights are always a great place for stragglers (of which there are many!) to catch up.
You'll find we're very supportive, and you'll be amazed at how quickly you adapt to the longer distances.
During build-ups (see Marathon build-ups heading below) we run set distances which start at 21km and build up to 33km for marathon training. Most packs also have a sub-group not wanting to do the full marathon build-up and they run a shorter distance each Sunday - so if 33km sounds intimidating, don't worry!
- From January to April...
- Runners - 7:00 am
- Walkers - 6:00 am
- From May to December...
- Runners - 8:00 am
- Walkers - 7:00 am
First timers
On your first visit to the club, please ask at the desk for the Club Captain who will place you in an appropriate pack. We're a friendly bunch and will make sure you feel welcome.
We encourage you to run with us twice as a guest after which we ask that you join the club in order to continue receiving the benefits of our training and support system. You'll find a downloadable application form on our Membership Info page.
Please note that YMCA Marathon Club membership is separate from Y-Fitness gym membership. You don't have to be a Y-Fitness gym member to run with us. However, you are most welcome to also become a Y-Fitness gym member, if you choose, in order to benefit from their equipment, programmes and classes. Click here for Y-Fitness membership details.
For more Marathon Club information, visit our Membership Info page, email Andy at run@ymcaMarathon.com, or talk to Relleke (pronounced "relica" - as per replica) on our help-desk or Andy or our Club Captain on Sunday morning.
How to find us
We run from the gym at the YMCA on the corner of Pitt St and Greys Ave in Auckland City. You'll find the gym entrance off the Y's carpark in Greys Ave.
Go to our Contact Us page for more detailed instructions and map.
Marathon build-ups
We have two build-ups each year, one for the Rotorua Marathon in Apr/May and one for the Auckland Marathon in Oct/Nov. Each build-up is 14 weeks and includes a seminar for first-timers towards the end. After that, you're ready to go!
Many of our members also train for a number of other national and international marathons, half-marathons, 10k and other running & walking events.