Who can go the distance when the clock, not the course, is the challenge? How far could you run in a day?
A determined group of athletes will attempt to answer such questions this weekend at the 2026 New Zealand 24-Hour Championships. Returning to the AUT Millennium Track on Auckland’s North Shore, the Championships will be held in conjunction with the Sri Chinmoy “Self‑Transcendence” 6‑12‑24 Hour Races. The race begins at 9am Saturday 21 March and concludes at 9am Sunday 22 March, with athletes running continuous laps of the 400m track and changing direction every four hours.
Keith Burrows enters as the clear favourite. A multiple‑time national champion, he has built a strong reputation in the 24‑hour format and will be targeting another consistent performance as he continues preparing for the Asia‑Oceania Championships in Japan in eight weeks’ time. Also lining up is Hamilton’s David Middlemiss, a developing talent stepping into his first national 24‑hour championship after a solid showing at last year’s Blue Lake 24‑Hour. Shawn O’Leary brings significant experience as one of the country’s long‑standing ultra veterans and is expected to deliver another steady, well‑managed effort.
On the women’s side, Maggi Forsyth will tackle her first 24‑hour track race. Young and fast, she comes in with prior success at the 100‑mile distance and, like Burrows, is building toward her Asia‑Oceania Championship appearance later this year. Also taking on the challenge is Siân Johnson and Summer Yu-Fan Hsiao.
Several notable athletes from previous editions have opted to race the non‑championship 12‑hour event instead, using it as a long training run ahead of their own international goals in Japan. Their absence slightly reshapes the 24‑hour fields, opening the door for newer names to emerge.
The atmosphere around the event remains one of its defining features, with support crews lining the home straight for the full duration of the race as athletes settle into long overnight stretches and manage the physical and mental demands of the format. With a mix of proven performers and first‑time championship entrants, this year’s edition should offer a clear picture of who is ready to take the next step on the national stage.
Who can best withstand the unique challenge of running against both the track and the clock.