With close to 5000 entries, more than 200 volunteers and hundreds of supporters and spectators, the Christchurch Airport Marathon has shrugged off the region's earthquake woes to remain one of the South Island's most significant community occasions.
Scheduled for an 8.30 start this Sunday 2nd June, entries for the 2013 Christchurch Airport Marathon are close to the record numbers of 2009 and 2010, prior to the Canterbury earthquakes.
"It's really encouraging," says race director Chris Cox. "In 2010 we had a record entry of 5800 participants. But the earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011 forced the event out of the city and almost halved tentries. So being back close to those levels only three years later is really satisfying."
Cox says new sponsor, Christchurch Airport, has been a big part of the event's fast recovery. "The airport team gave the event a new base and course and added some promotional muscle, which is what we needed to get past that difficult time. But the community wants the race kept alive."
The marathon organisation has been under fire recently over objections to road closures on the course for this weekend's run. But Cox says "This is a big event and not everyone will agree with what we're doing. But 90 percent of the businesses and residents support the event because they can see it benefits the community."
"You only have to look at the participation to see the event's popularity. We've tried to help the businesses affected in the same way we always have, by reducing the amount of time roads are closed, this year starting the event earlier, issuing public notices, street signage and even helping them promote their businesses to our participants."
Cox also points to the economic impact of the event, with independent impact studies showing the Christchurch Airport Marathon generates more than $2million for the region.
"The event itself costs something close to $300,000 to run," says Cox "and most of that is spent with Canterbury service providers. But we have participants from 13 countries and around 1000 of them are from outside Canterbury. Most bring family and friends, so that's an awful lot of people spending money in Christchurch during the long weekend."
Cox, however, is even more adamant about the local community goodwill created by the event.
"Our only real goal through the 30 years the event has been run over Queen's Birthday Weekend was forthe event to reflect the community," he says. "From sponsors to volunteers to participants to the Christchurch City Council, to schools and clubs, the Christchurch Airport Marathon is created by the community for the community."
"The Christchurch Marathon has always been renowned as one of the fastest marathon events in the Southern Hemisphere, so most of the best runners in New Zealand and Australia run our race. This is great for the profile of the event and the sport, but we decided a long time ago the secret to becoming the best race in the country is to provide something for everyone."
"The full marathon and half marathon are always the feature events, but over the years we have included more recreational options such as the 10k and walking options and the Kids' Mara'Fun. These have been hugely successful because they create a more inclusive event."
Highlights from the middle of the pack will include 61 year old Wellingtonian Mike Stewart, who ticked off his 500th marathon last year and is back for more. Among locals, 63 year old Ian Lennie is starting the half marathon for the 30th time, while Timaru's Stuart Bennett is back for the 32nd consecutive year, having missed only the inaugural 1981 event.
At the other end of the scale, around 500 children will line up in the Kids' 3k Mara'Fun, while several secondary schools use the 10k and half marathon events as part of their bursary exercise science studies.
The event also enjoys significant support from local businesses such as The Press, Christchurch Airport and Christchurch City Council, who all have large groups participating, including Christchurch City Councillor Glenn Livingstone and Airport CEO Jim Boult.
The Christchurch Airport Marathon is also a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House South Island, the non-profit organisation which provides accommodation for families who have to travel from out of town for their child's hospital care.
Among starters will be five-year-old Finlay Aitchison, who is hoping to raise $500 for the organisation that supported his family, after he was born with a rare genetic disorder that left him without a pancreas or gall bladder and with multiple heart defects.
Among almost 5000 starters on Sunday, the eldest is 82 year old Red Maddock from Christchurch in the Half Marathon. The youngest is Philip Brown, also from Christchurch, who turns five just a week before race day.
Entries for the 2013 Christchurch Airport Marathon are still open. Visit www.christchurchmarathon.co.nz or enter on Saturday at the event village on Orchard Road, Christchurch Airport.
The event begins at the new earlier time of 8.30am this Sunday, June 2.
