Numbers for runs highest in 10 years

The largest combined field for 10 years is expected for the Fagan Motors Wairarapa country marathon, and the half-marathon and 10km run-walk events held in conjunction with it, on Sunday.
Entries by mid-week totalled 369 with 40 having been received for the marathon, 66 for the half-marathon walk, 122 for the half-marathon run and 141 for the 10km run-walk.
Organisers believe that number will be increased to over 450 by Sunday with the possibility of the 500 mark being reached, particularly with the weather forecast suggesting a fine but cool day
Predicting likely winners of the marathon and half-marathons is a hazardous business because several leading Wellington runners have indicated the will be taking part but have not yet decided in which of the two races. And there is also possibility of late entries, which will be taken right up to race day, containing some proven talent as well.
Of those entered in the marathon at the time these notes were penned the fastest estimated time in the men's section was the 2hrs 52mins proferred by Alan Bruce of Wellington, who was third in 2007.
Five times winner Graeme Butcher of Masterton is still in recovery mode from his Commonwealth championships 100km run and is expecting to finish in just over 3hrs and the same goes for other locals in Terry Blackburn and Bob Williams and David Creamer of Lower Hutt, who is something of an unknown and could be the "dark horse" of the field.
An ex-Wairarapa runner in Wendy Teahan, now from Fielding, should be a major contender for the women's title with a time of around 3hrs 30mins and also looking to clock a similar time are Heidi-Jane Humphries of Wellington and two experienced campaigners in Debra Arnold of Fielding and Patricia Stichbury of Palmerston North.Stichbury has placed in the top three in previous years.
The men's half-marathon should be an interesting contest with a 10 time winner of the marathon, Tony Price of Masterton, competing over the shorter distance on this occasion.He has been battling injury but still must be given a good chance of setting a new race record for the 50yrs age group of 1hrs 19mins.
Two other locals in Gavin Champion and Doug Johnston should also make their presence felt.
Champion won the marathon in 2006 and is using this race as part of his build-up for the world long course triathlon championships to be held in Perth next month.Johnston is a tough competitor who has beaten both Price and Champion over shorter journeys this year.
Michael Walton from Upper Hutt and John Plimmer from Wellington are also likely to finish in around the 1hr 20min mark.
The women's half-marathon should see a 21-year-old from Palmerston North in Hannah Broederlow amongst the top chances with an estimated finishing time of 1hrs 39mins.Her main dangers could be Keryn Jones (Wellington),Gina McGeever (Upper Hutt) and Lisa Kuhnert (Fielding) while Linda Hannam is a local sure to give a good account of herself.
All events start at Makoura College with the marathon, which covers two laps of the Pakaraka circuit, kicking off at 7am, the half-marathon walk at 8am, the half-marathon run at 9am and the 10km run-walk at 10am.