The Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon course runs from Devonport on Auckland's North Shore, through Takapuna to the Smales Farm Bus Station where it joins the Busway southbound to the Auckland Harbour Bridge. After crossing the bridge, the course takes in Westhaven Marina, the Viaduct Harbour (the halfway mark), before heading out along Auckland City's waterfront. This section of the course is an out and back, with the turn point being in St Helier's Bay. The return leg follows the same course back to the Viaduct Harbour for a finish at Victoria Park.  The first half of the course is best described as "rolling" while the second half, other than two small road bridges, is flat.