The Great Taste Trail and Moturoa/Rabbit Island provide the NBS Nelson Marathon with a practical, straightforward character: a running event focused on individual efforts and relay legs, not on excessive promotion. The course is mostly flat and off-road, following a waterfront path around the Waimea Inlet, staying near the coast without significant ascents.
Underfoot, expect a blend of gravel paths, forest trails, and brief paved stretches. Rabbit Island and its wooded areas offer enough variation to maintain momentum. This event suits those running their first marathon seeking a flatter course, relay teams sharing the distance, and seasoned runners looking for consistent running on diverse terrain. The point-to-point course ending at Rabbit Island is the primary detail to consider for post-race logistics.