Local Christchurch runner Oska Baynes made history on Sunday, becoming the first athlete to win both the Christchurch Marathon and Half Marathon twice.

Baynes crossed the finish line in 2:20:20, clinching first place in the 2025 Christchurch Marathon. Maximillian Yanzick and Tom Galloway placed second and third respectively.

While Baynes was aiming to break the long-standing course record, he said the conditions in the later stages made that difficult.

“I was on record pace, and I was feeling confident, but we lost a little bit of time in the third lap and unfortunately it just got a little bit hot,” he said. “It was survival of the fittest, so I was just trying to minimise damage and get to the finish line.”

Despite the tough conditions, Baynes said it was still one of his proudest moments.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about position one, two or three. It’s great that we’ve helped motivate over 7,000 people to come out here and better their lives, motivate each other, and be healthy. That’s what today is all about.”

Last year’s women’s marathon winner Ingrid Cree repeated her success, posting a personal best of 2:46:31.

“I’m really happy with my time. It’s the second year in a row I’ve run a personal best here in Christchurch. The support along the course was amazing — so many people encouraging me to keep going,” said Cree.

She credited Wellington’s notoriously windy conditions for helping her prepare. “There was a headwind and I thought, ‘I can do this.’ I’d just run in 50k winds in Wellington the other day and had to hide behind a car — I thought I was going to get lifted off the ground! Today was just a light zephyr really.”

This year’s marathon drew a record 7,015 participants across four race categories — the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10 km, and Kids Mara’fun.

Event Director Calum Nicholson said he was thrilled by the response.

“We are 40 percent up on last year’s numbers. It’s clear the Christchurch Marathon is growing in reputation as a premium event — and Christchurch is growing as a destination.”

Now in its third year running through the central city on a 10km loop course, the 2025 event featured additional entertainment points and improved routes.

“This year’s success is a real nod to the central city’s resurgence. The course celebrates the best the city has to offer — from Te Pae to Victoria Square and everything in between,” said Nicholson.

The Half Marathon, which drew the largest field with 3,189 entrants, was won by Toby Gualter from Porirua in 1:03:30 — just shy of the 1:02:37 course record.

“I was pretty chuffed with my time. I thought the course record might be on but that’s something for next year,” said Gualter.

“I came here to break a personal best under 65 minutes, and all the hard weeks of training paid off.”

Auckland runner and defending champion Anneke Grogan won the women’s half in 1:14:59.

“I wanted to break 1:15, so I’m very happy with that,” she said. “I didn’t really know what to expect coming in, since I haven’t done any workouts in training — so I just went for it, and it worked out.”

Grogan is preparing for the Hawke’s Bay Half Marathon and said Sunday’s event gave her a confidence boost.

“I’ll see if they can match the perfect conditions we had today.”

Maia Flint from Tauranga took out the women’s 10km race with a time of 37:49.

“You couldn’t have asked for better conditions — super still, not too cold, and so much fun running with so many people around,” she said.

Flint was thrilled to be over a minute ahead of her personal best. “I was a little concerned I went out too fast, but I just held on.”

Last year’s marathon winner Andy Good, from Christchurch, won the men’s 10km in 31:49.

“I’ve got the Ballarat Marathon in two weeks, so today was a great chance to get in a good effort and still recover in time,” said Good. “After that, I’ll take a few easy weeks — and I’m looking forward to a beer. I haven’t had one this year.”

This year’s Christchurch Marathon raised $27,000 for its charity partner, the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust.

The Trust runs Rānui House and Apartments — a home-away-from-home for families receiving medical treatment in Christchurch.

Trust CEO Mandy Kennedy said the event had been a huge success.

“It’s been amazing to see so many people step up to the start line for us. We’re truly grateful to the Christchurch Marathon for helping raise awareness and funds to support our cause and the families who call Rānui home.”

Event Director Calum Nicholson said the event’s success was made possible by the community’s energy and support.

“Christchurch has truly come to life today, and the excitement was absolutely palpable,” he said.

“We’re enormously grateful to our community of volunteers, sponsors and the Christchurch City Council. It’s that community spirit that allowed us to deliver such an incredible day.”