Early tomorrow morning thousands of Aucklanders will get out bed and go to Devonport in the dark, there to line up for the start of the Auckland Marathon.
By Sunday breakfast they will be well on their way, facing a gruelling 42km run up to Smales Farm, Takapuna, down the Northern Busway, across the Harbour Bridge, along the city waterfront and Tamaki Drive to St Heliers, where they turn for a run back to Victoria Park.
It is hard to think of a more scenic course but there must be easier ways to enjoy it.
We want them to know their fellow citizens are in awe of them. Few of us might be turning out to watch and urge them on, even if we live along the route - and let's hope none of us are complaining that traffic may be restricted on parts of it for a few hours - but a moment's consideration of what these Aucklanders are doing is reason to toast them.
Those setting out to run the full distance, or even the half marathon, will have needed months of daily training for the challenge they face this morning.
