Auckland Marathon attracts 17000 runners

Last year's Auckland Marathon. Photo: Auckland Marathon

Thousands of runners are out pounding the streets in the Auckland Marathon and related events on this morning.

Seventeen thousand people are taking part - the highest number in 10 years.

There are 3000 runners taking part in the full 42-kilometre Marathon, which kicked off at 6am on Sunday morning.

That course will take runners from Devonport, over the Harbour Bridge to St Heliers Bay and back to Victoria Park in the central city.

Another 14,000 registered runners are participating in other events including a half-marathon, an 11km traverse, a 5km run and a kids' marathon.

Auckland Marathon said it was the largest turnout since 2014, with 62 percent of the participants running the event for the first time.

The event hopes to raise $600,000.