Just under four thousand seven hundred competitors started the Christchurch Airport Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k. At the elite level the half-marathon had been billed as too close to call and the spectators were not disappointed as Hamish Carson of Wellington just edged out national 3000m champion Hugo Beamish, the first four senior men all finishing within ten seconds. Fourty-nine year old Sally Gibbs showed that age is no barrier for her as she was the first women home in 1:17:02 breaking Bernie Portenski’s 13 year age grade course record. Favourites Phil Costley and Liza Hunter-Galven won their respective marathon events.
An improved course and mild temperatures made for ideal running conditions and a large Marlborough contingent didn’t disappoint competing strongly in all running and walking events.
Margaret Hazelwood delivered a standout performance as she broke her own W60-69 course record by 32 minutes clocking a very impressive marathon time of 3hours and 38 minutes. Robbie Barnes, Jess Barnes and Judith Hyndman also took age grade placings.
Marathon
3:38:39 Margaret Hazelwood (1st W60-69, W60-69 Course Record)
Half Marathon Run
1:19:24 Robbie Barnes (2nd VM50-59)
1:23:12 Andrew Curnow
1:33:57 Tom Burgess
1:37:41 Alister Leach
1:43:23 Jess Barnes (3rd W12-19)
1:52:27 Ian Partner
1:52:33 Jan Curnow
1:53:02 Emily Burgess
1:53:05 Steve Olsen
Half Marathon Walk
2:34:18 Judith Hyndman (3rd W40+)
3:05:40 Kay Leach
10k Run
0:41:58 Ray Boardman
0:53:22 Stuart Curnow
0:55:29 Mieke Holtrop
0:59:05 Geoffrey Handley
1:01:14 Paulette Handley
10k Walk
1:21:10 Leanne Barnes
1:36:12 Julie Hunter
1:36:13 Bill Hunter
3k Marafun
00:15:00 Anna Barnes