Question 1

What are the categories?

Accepted Answer

The Link (24km) is a new route and it’s not for the faint hearted. As the longest of our courses the 24km’s includes many challenging hill climbs, but the views are worth it. This would be better suited for the experienced fitness enthusiast.
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The Snout (13km) is a challenging course with a couple of hard hill climbs but when you reach the top, the views are amazing. This would be better suited for the mid-level fitness enthusiast and regular joggers. This year we offer both walking and running options.
​
Marina 2 Marina (10km) is a shorter course and suited to families, beginner runners, walkers, shufflers, whatever category you think you come under! We offer both walking and running options.
​
Kids Dash (approx. 2km) is for the younger members of the family and follows the Picton to Waikawa track behind the Emergency Centre, around the dog park and back to the finish line at London Quay. Children must be aged between 5 and 9 years to participate in the Kids Dash.
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Find out more about the courses here.

Question 2

Where does the race start and finish?

Accepted Answer

The Link race starts in Anakiwa (at the beginning of the Queen Charlotte Track). Competitors have the option of enjoying a boat cruise from London Quay Picton to Anakiwa (must be pre-booked) or by making their own way to the start line. All entrants must be registered before event day and must check in to receive their race pack on Friday 2 October 2026.

All other races start on the North side of the Coat Hanger bridge (over the bridge from the festival hub) by the Marlborough Sounds Marina office. You will finish on the south side of the coat hanger bridge among the festivities and entertainment.

Question 3

How much does it cost to enter?

Accepted Answer

Link Adult (19yrs+) with boat $130
Link Adult (19yrs+) without boat $105
Link Youth (16 - 18 yrs) with boat $105
Link Youth (16 - 18 yrs) without boat $80

Snout 13km Walk or Run Adult (19yrs+) $65
Snout 13km Walk or Run Youth (14 - 18 yrs) $45

M2M 10km Walk or Run Adult (19yrs+) $60
M2M 10km Walk or Run Youth (14 - 18 yrs) $40
M2M 10km Walk or Run Child (7 - 13 yrs) $25

Kids Dash 2km (5 - 9yrs) $10
​
Tickets for the Link Run will not be for sale on the day of the event and must be purchased in advance. The Snout and M2M race tickets can be purchased on the day of the event but carry an extra $10 late entry fee. We recommend you purchase your ticket in advance. The entry fee for the Kids Dash will remain the same up until registration closes on the day of the event.

Question 4

Can I walk and run?

Accepted Answer

If you want the flexibility of not running the whole way please enter as runner. Runners can walk but walkers can't run. If a walker is seen running, they will be disqualified.

Question 5

Will there be finisher medals?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 6

How can I pay?

Accepted Answer

When you register online you can pay by credit card. If you register on the day there will be no EFTPOS facility and we will require cash. There will be an extra $10 added to the entry fee on the day of the event.

Question 7

How long will the event take?

Accepted Answer

The Link – fast runners will finish in about 2hrs, and the slower will take about 4.5hrs
The Snout – fast runners will finish in about 1hr 10mins, and the slower will take about 3hr 30mins.
Marina 2 Marina – the fast runners will take about 30mins and the slower walkers may take over about 1hr 30mins.
Prize-giving will be held at approximately 1pm in the Festival Hub near the finish line.

Question 8

Where and when to register?

Accepted Answer

REGISTER ONLINE:
Visit our registration page and register online. Online registrations close at 5pm on Thursday 1 October 2026.
 
SAME DAY REGISTRATION:
We will have the registration/check in desk open on Friday 2 October (5pm - 8pm) and Saturday 3 October (7.30am - 8.30am) at Edit Picton Hotel, please note there is an additional $10 admin fee for registrations at the desk. There are no eftpos facilities for registration so please bring cash on the day. NB.

Link runners cannot enter on the day of the event, the latest they can enter is Friday 2 October.

Question 9

What time do the races start?

Accepted Answer

Briefing and start times are as follows:
The Link Run – runners must be ready to board at the boat in Picton at 6.30am, briefing 7.40am at Anakiwa, start time 8.00am (competitors not using the boat cruise option must be at Anakiwa by 7.30am ready to meet the boat).
Snout Run/Walk - briefing 8.40am, start time 8.50am
Kids Dash - briefing 8.50am, start 8.55am
Marina 2 Marina Run/Walk - briefing 9.25am, start time 9.30am
Please note that it is compulsory to attend the briefing for your own safety.

Question 10

Is there somewhere I can leave my bag while I'm racing?

Accepted Answer

We will have a gear tent available near the finish line at London Quay for you to leave your bag in.

If you are entered in the Link Run and booked on the cruise you will be able to leave your bag on the boat, once the boat is back in Picton all the bags will be relocated to the finish line at London Quay and can be collected after you have finished. If you are making your own way to Anakiwa we are unable to take your gear back on the boat, and you must make your own arrangements.

Please note: We do not take responsibility for your gear on the day, so please do not leave valuables in your bag.

Question 11

Will there be water stations?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there will be water stations on both the Link, Snout and Marina 2 Marina courses, location of these water stations will be available on the day and advised during the race briefing.

Question 12

What can supporters do while they wait?

Accepted Answer

While the event is being run there will be festival activities at London Quay. There will be some food available (however we encourage you to visit one of the many eateries in town for lunch), coffee carts, family entertainment and an MC announcing the runners as they come over the finish line.

There will be NO EFTPOS available at the event (unless by independent vendors). However, ATMs are available on High Street.

M2M has reduced its carbon footprint and now runs as a zero-waste event. All cups at the water stations will be washed and re-used each year. Vendors at the finish line area will be asked to implement this policy and use mugs only and recyclable materials. The team from Envirohub Marlborough will be on hand to implement the policy by collecting food scraps, washing cutlery and refilling water bottles. Feel free to bring your own mugs, bottles, cutlery etc

Question 13

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

There is long term pay and display car parking adjacent to the festival zone off London Quay. On Waikawa Road there is plenty of free parking and on the side streets off Waikawa Road. Please note parking wardens still work on Saturdays so be wary of one-hour parking limits. Please respect the residential areas and do not block driveways.

If you are supporting a runner on The Link, we ask that you do not park near any water stations or along the Queen Charlotte Drive where there is no designated parking available. The safety of our runners is paramount and visibility of the Link Pathway from the Queen Charlotte Drive is limited. If you are found to be parked in a place that causes safety concerns, we will issue a warning. If we must issue a second warning, the competitor you are supporting will be disqualified.

Question 14

How do I redeem the 20% Interislander offer?

Accepted Answer

After you register the redeem code will be provided in your race day information email. Please contact us if you have any queries.

Question 15

Where can I stay?

Accepted Answer

There are plenty of accommodation options in Picton, head to www.visitpicton.co.nz for listings. 
 
The Edit Picton Hotel (where registration will take place in their conference room) is kindly offering a 15% accommodation discount to all competitors. Call reception 03 573 7002 to book using the reference number included in the confirmation email you receive when you register.

Question 16

Can I use my iPod or other music device while competiting?

Accepted Answer

THE LINK
We will allow music devices on The Link but we ask that you remove headphones near water stations and road crossings to allow you to hear clear instructions from the marshals.

THE SNOUT
We will not allow music devices on the Snout as the track is narrow in places and we need runners to hear the calls of other runners passing etc.

MARINA 2 MARINA
On the Marina 2 Marina track, you are fine to use music devices though we ask that you remove them at road crossings and water stations so you can hear clear instructions from the marshals.

Question 17

If the race doesn't happen, or I can't come, can I get a refund?"

Accepted Answer

There are no refunds. We will endeavour to make sure the event goes ahead on the day. Should we need to cancel the event due to a weather event or a pandemic, all entries will be transferred to the following year.

Question 18

Can I transfer my entry to someone else?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can, but there will be a $5 admin fee. Transfers are only available up until 5pm Thursday 1 October 2026.

Question 19

What will I receive as confirmation of my entry?

Accepted Answer

You will receive your confirmation via email when you enter online. This will include a link to your race day information.

Question 20

Will the race be timed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are using a timing team to make sure that you get your results quickly and accurately. Race results will be available live on our website during the event.

Question 21

Is there an age limit?

Accepted Answer

Competitors must be aged:
The Link: over 16years
The Snout: over 14 years
The Marina 2 Marina: 7 years or over
The Dash: 5 - 9 years

“You don’t stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running”
Christopher McDougall, Born to Run

Question 22

Can I collect someone else's race bib for them?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we allow people to collect race bibs for others.

Question 23

Where do I collect my t-shirt from?

Accepted Answer

If you have ordered a t-shirt we will have it ready for collection at check-in. T-shirts must be purchased online by 5pm Monday 7 September in order to be ready for collection at the event. There will be none available to purchase on event day.

Question 24

Can I run alongside my child in the Kids Dash?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can. We just ask that you don't get in the way of other competitors and step aside at the finish line so your child can have their moment to shine.

Question 25

Can I bring my dog on the race?

Accepted Answer

24km: Please don't bring your dog on the 24km race as the track goes through DOC land. 
13km: Though dogs are allowed on the 13km track, it's narrow in places and the track has steep drop offs so it's not advisable to compete with dogs. 
10km: You are welcome to bring your dog on the 10km race, we just ask that you keep it on a leash and out of the way of other competitors.

NB. Marlborough District Council does not allow dogs on the foreshore where the finish line is located unless they are passing through. So, if you are competing with a dog, you will need to remove it from the foreshore after finishing.

Question 26

Do you have another question?

Accepted Answer

You can email us at info@marina2marina.co.nz

SATURDAY
3 october 2026

FAQ's

Frequently asked questions

What are the categories?

Where does the race start and finish?

How much does it cost to enter?

Can I walk and run?

Will there be finisher medals?

How can I pay?

How long will the event take?

Where and when to register?

What time do the races start?

Is there somewhere I can leave my bag while I'm racing?

Will there be water stations?

What can supporters do while they wait?

Is there parking?

How do I redeem the 20% Interislander offer?

Where can I stay?

Can I use my iPod or other music device while competiting?

If the race doesn't happen, or I can't come, can I get a refund?"

Can I transfer my entry to someone else?

What will I receive as confirmation of my entry?

Will the race be timed?

Is there an age limit?

Can I collect someone else's race bib for them?

Where do I collect my t-shirt from?

Can I run alongside my child in the Kids Dash?

Can I bring my dog on the race?

Do you have another question?

SATURDAY 3 october 2026

FAQ's

Frequently asked questions

What are the categories?

Where does the race start and finish?

How much does it cost to enter?

Can I walk and run?

Will there be finisher medals?

How can I pay?

How long will the event take?

Where and when to register?

What time do the races start?

Is there somewhere I can leave my bag while I'm racing?

Will there be water stations?

What can supporters do while they wait?

Is there parking?

How do I redeem the 20% Interislander offer?

Where can I stay?

Can I use my iPod or other music device while competiting?

If the race doesn't happen, or I can't come, can I get a refund?"

Can I transfer my entry to someone else?

What will I receive as confirmation of my entry?

Will the race be timed?

Is there an age limit?

Can I collect someone else's race bib for them?

Where do I collect my t-shirt from?

Can I run alongside my child in the Kids Dash?

Can I bring my dog on the race?

Do you have another question?

SATURDAY
3 october 2026