Running: From broken back to marathon champ (+video)

Only 18 months after breaking his back, Raglan's Tom Wellby has defied the odds to win his first marathon title.

Wellby, 40, won the marathon race on Saturday during the Tarawera Trail Marathon and 50km event in Rotorua.

"I'm a personal trainer and run my own little business in Raglan, so hopefully I can inspire some of my clients," he said.

He said he had recovered well from his broken back last year, which he suffered during a surfing accident, and was stoked to win the gruelling men's race in a time of 4h 0m 35s.

He said he was talked into doing the event by a few friends from Rotorua, including among them last year's 50km winner, Annika Smail.

"Some local guys told me about it and knew I loved running," he said. "Annika gave me lots of good advice. She told me at the beginning to be confident because everyone is going to cane it."

Wellby said he even went the wrong way at one point but a few 50km runners helped get him back on track without losing much ground. "I had my head down and went the wrong way."

Meanwhile, Christchurch's Andrea Davies was also surprised and elated to take out the women's marathon title, finishing in a time of 4h 35m 21s.

She said she took a few tumbles but was happy to win. Both finished about 10 minutes ahead of their nearest rivals.