Marathon boost for Hawke's Bay tourism

Thousands of people flocked to Hawke's Bay for the Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay International Marathon on Saturday. Photo/Duncan Brown

The Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay International Marathon boosted the region's tourism over the weekend.

More than 4200 people took part in the annual running festival which featured a 42km, 21km, 10km and a 3km kids race option starting in Napier and finishing at Sileni Estate Winery.

Wet weather meant the course was trickier than last year and several sections had to be changed because of water covering the ground. Some areas were more than 30cm under water.

The event, which is in its second year, has become a popular competition for people all over New Zealand, with 75 per cent of participants coming from outside Hawke's Bay.

Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said the marathon was great for the region's economy and tourism in what was usually a quiet month.

"It's been a huge weekend for Hawke's Bay, it just gives May a real boost."

People ran the marathon and then stayed for the weekend where they made the most of yesterday's sunny weather by visiting wineries and the Hawke's Bay Farmer's Market, she said.

"Most of the restaurants have been chock-a-block and we've had good feedback from a lot of [accommodation facilities], with many being nearly full."

An entrant in the 10km race, Julie Ingram, of Auckland, said she came with a group of about six friends for the weekend.

They usually do a "ladies get-together" once a year and decided to give the race a go this time, dressed in pink tutus.

"It was a bit harder than our usual weekends but a lot of fun and the event was fabulously organised."

The friends wore the tutus because they thought it was the thing to do and so they could find each other easily but by the time they realised most people hadn't dressed up it was too late, she said.

Sara Lunam, of Mt Maunganui, has also participated with a group of friends for the past two years and planned keep coming hack.

"The last section was great with the music and atmosphere."

The official charity of the event was the Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust.
General manager Ian Wilmot said it meant they could have collection buckets at registration on Friday and at the event on Saturday.

"We haven't counted up the money yet but it's great to be the chosen charity and it helps to raise our profile."

The rescue helicopter was meant to be there but because of the weather was only able to do a flyover.

A group of adventurer Samuel Gibson's former colleagues commemorated his life during the 10km race at the running festival.

Mr Gibson, who was born with a severe brittle bone disease, died after receiving head injuries from a fall during last year's race as part of the inaugural marathon event.

Many other competitors had their own emotional and inspirational reasons for entering including Wellington's Matt Toole who is booked for kidney transplant surgery in July.

A team of more than 340 volunteers set up the course in the early hours of Saturday and helped out all day.