Combined entries expected to top 400

Combined entries are expected to swell to 400 for the Fagan Motors Wairarapa marathon, half-marathon and 10km events to be held from Makoura College in Masterton on Sunday. A total of 300 entries had been received by Monday but organisers were anticipating at least 100 more by race day.
Last year's men's marathon winner Grant McLean, of Wellington, is still in the throes of deciding whether to defend that title or line-up in the half-marathon instead. He is a classy performer who would probably win whichever event he chooses.
Rumours are that Masterton's Tony Price, a winner of the Wairarapa marathon on a remarkable 10 occasions, is considering entering again this year although for him too the half-marathon is a definite possibility as well. Five times marathon winner Graeme Butcher, also of Masterton, won't be entering that event and is undecided as to whether he will compete over a shorter distance either but a definite starter in the marathon is Brian Garmonsway, of Lower Hutt, who was fourth last year and has estimated a finishing time of around 3hrs.
On estimated time, however, he would play second fiddle to Rohan Biggs, from Wellington, who is anticipating a finishing time of 2hrs 48mins and then there is the "unknown quantity" of overseas competitors, Roberto Ferrandis-Ferrer (Spain), Steve Cloutier (United States) and Warren Lane (Australia).
Of the definite local starters in the men's marathon Terry Blackburn is an interesting runner.
He is hoping to complete his first try at the 42km in 3hrs 20mins
In the women's marathon defending champion Ingrid Frost (Auckland) is back with an estimated time of 3hrs 30mins but she could be tested by Alison Draine if the Wellingtonian is, as anticipated, a late entry.
The men's half-marathon will see Steve Hannam and Doug Johnston two of the main contenders for the trophy going to the first Wairarapa male home and Wellington's Matt Adam will also be up the front if he lives up to his expectations of clocking 1hr 20mins. Several other runners from the capital have also indicated they will enter on the day and some well-performed athletes are among them. Another of the overseas contingent in Akiki Nishiguchi, of Japan, is the favourite for the women's half-marathon with an estimated time of 1hr 25mins and her main opposition could come from Stephanie Clarke (Wellington), Linda Hannam (Masterton) and Patricia Stichbury, from Wellington, who was second in the marathon last year.
The half-marathon walk will see many of the starters hoping to break the magical 3hrs but if Andrew Shelly, of Upper Hutt, manages anywhere near his estimated time of 2hrs 17mins he will be difficult to beat.
The marathon and half-marathon events will be raced around the Pakaraka circuit while the 10km walk-run will also start at Makoura but take in a loop along the trails of the Waipoua River and through Henley Lake. It has attracted 120 entries to date but could reach as many as 150. Locals Denise Baker, Roger Jones and Michael Macklin should be among the leading division.
The marathon starts at 7am, the half-marathon walk at 8am, the half-marathon run at 9am and the 10km walk-run at 9.30am.