Tension builds for long-distance runners

Photo / Dean Purcell

Nine thousand nervous runners are preparing for the Auckland Marathon and Half Marathon as the build-up to the big day begins.

Participants begin collecting their gear bags from today for the event on Sunday, which involves the most entrants in the race's 73-year history.

The event, which sold out in record time just nine weeks after entries opened, has attracted more and more participants every year.

This year, 1000 more people will enjoy the rare novelty of running or walking over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, because the limit was lifted on how many people could take part.

In total, 13,500 people will be taking part in all events - the Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, 5km Walk and the Kids Marathon.

By far the most popular event is the Half Marathon (21km), with 6800 people entered. Another 2200 have entered the Full Marathon.

Auckland Marathon managing director Stephen Brown said most of those entered - about 70 per cent - were from the Auckland region.

The remaining 30 per cent came from out of town and about another 500 entrants had been attracted from overseas.

Forty-eight per cent of entrants to this year's events were men and 54 per cent women.

The youngest entrants were aged 7, in the Kids Marathon, and the oldest was over 75, Mr Brown said.

Weather on the day could affect times and if it was windy the winning time was likely to be slightly slower than expected, he said.

But WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan said a high from the Tasman Sea was likely to bring warm weather to Auckland on Sunday.

"It's looking pretty dry and sunny ... it's looking pretty damn good."

MetService forecaster John Crouch said it would be mostly fine or slightly overcast, with the possibility of one or two light showers.

He said it was possible some southwest winds would pick up later in the day.

The temperature around 6am, when racing begins, would be about 12C, rising to about 17C later in the day, Mr Crouch said.

38 HOURS WITHOUT SLEEP

It's not just the runners making a marathon of it this weekend.

Race organisers - some of whom work on the event all year - will be running around for more than 38 hours straight to make sure the day goes according to plan.

"We start work at 8am on Saturday and work through until 10pm Sunday," said race director Richard Lindroos.

"We don't go to bed ... There's a lot of stuff that happens before everyone gets to the start line. It's extreme."

Asked how the group stay awake so long, he said: "Keeping hydrated, eat well ... it's actually the same as running a marathon."

Mr Lindroos said tasks that needed to be taken care of overnight before the race included setting up drinks stations, toilets, road cones, signage, fences - and dealing with anything that cropped up such as broken water mains or broken-down vehicles on the course path.

And all the hard work doesn't end on Sunday. Mr Lindroos said race clean-up could take two weeks.

"The [email] inbox will be flooded on Monday with queries, issues [things like] 'where's my gear bag,' and 'I dropped my medal.' We work all year round."

RACE DIRECTOR RICHARD LINDROOS' SHREWD TIPS ON HOW TO SURVIVE

RACE
* Get the early ferries but if you're late, stay calm. Remember, your time is recorded from when you pass the start line, not from the time the race starts.
* Forget about everyone else - concentrate on yourself.
* Be patient for the first few kilometres and get used to running around 9000 other people.
* Get into your own pace and rhythm and enjoy the hype.
* If you get a stitch, keep going; there's a long time to get better.
* If cramp is severe stop, stretch and make sure you hydrate.
* Don't change anything - clothing, hydration, nutrition - on the day.
* Keep positive and enjoy it.

RECOVERY
* Make sure you smile when you cross the finish line because your photo is being taken.
* Hydrate immediately with water and/or Powerade provided.
* Walk around or sit in shade to let your body calm down.
* Get a massage if you want.
* Refuel with food - bananas will be on hand.
* Skite to family, friends and everyone you know and enjoy the rest of your day