Athletics: Marathon favourite is still learning

By MURRAY McKINNON

Phil Clode in the marathon and John Henwood in the half-marathon are the likely winners in a record field of 7500 that will swarm over the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Sunday morning.

Clode, from Counties Manukau, with a predicted time of 2h 20m for the BMW Marathon, is nearly 10 minutes faster than the next best listed entry, Grant McLean from the Scottish Club in Wellington.

Henwood, of Scottish, is the quickest in the half with a best of 65 minutes and should head Jason Cameron from North Harbour Bays.

Clode, who has run four marathons, said his aim was to finally secure a marathon victory.

Sponsor BMW has offered the use of a BMW for a year to the first New Zealand resident male who breaks 2h 19m and the first resident female who breaks 2h 42m.

"But getting over the finishing line is the challenge," Clode said. " I'm still learning about running marathons, they are a different kettle of fish to running on the track."

The 36-year-old sports magazine editor added, that after a successful career on the track, his goal was to represent New Zealand in the marathon.

"I will try for the Commonwealth Games on a faster course overseas," he said.

"I have the strength at the moment, and to lead up to an overseas race I will have to work on my speed. The way things are going it looks like 2h 13m will be needed to get to Manchester next year."

Clode has his sights set on qualifying in the Los Angeles marathon in March.

From having no marathon runners at the last world championships and Sydney Olympics, there is already a scramble on for the three places to Manchester. The Commonwealth Games selection standard is 2h 15m and Jonathan Wyatt and Craig Kirkwood have gone under this in recent overseas events.

Eveline Coombe, of Henderson, is one of the fastest entered in the women's section. A regular competitor in fun events around Auckland, she has estimated 2h 56m.

Sarah Christie, from Wellington, the New Zealand half-marathon and road champion, is a late entry in the women's half-marathon and on recent form should be an easy winner.