Aitken ready for stiff challenge to her title

Last year’s Queenstown Marathon winner Mel Aitken is looking to defend her title but will do so in the face of fierce opposition in the country’s largest marathon event this weekend.

Thousands of runners are descending on the resort for the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon, half marathon, 10km run and 2.2km kids run.

Aitken, the West Coast Police Area Commander, broke through last year for a first victory after a number of close misses and feels in great form ahead of Saturday.

‘‘I’m in much better form than I was last year. I’ve had an interesting season, injury set me back a bit with stress fractures in my foot, but in saying that I’ve also posted a personal best marathon time on the Gold Coast in July, so I think I am going into this year’s event a lot stronger than I was last year.’’

Strong competition is expected from Hannah Oldroyd, who won the recent ASB Auckland Marathon.

‘‘My approach will be the same as usual, I will set off at my own pace and see how the race unfolds, The legs are fine, this will actually be my tenth event since Auckland.

‘‘The big goal will be to get there early enough to enjoy a Guinness before the race, and then a few more afterwards!’’

Elina Ussher will be interesting one to watch. The multi-sport star is using the event as part of her preparation for another tilt at the Coast to Coast next February, but will be giving it her best shot on Saturday.

‘‘I have done a few marathons as part of adventure or multisport races, but running one as a standalone marathon is quite exciting and new for me.’’

Husband Richard knows the terrain well after finishing second in the men’s race last year, and will this year be riding the lead mountain bike at the head of the women’s NZ Sotheby’s International Realty Half Marathon field.

In the men’s marathon Sam Wreford, of Timaru, has the form deserving of a race favourite, but expects a stern challenge.

Wreford has previously won Invercargill, Christchurch (twice), Rotorua and Auckland Marathons and this year added the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay Marathon to his CV. He currently holds course records for Dunedin and the Legend marathons and is a former New Zealand Cross Country title holder (2012).

However, this is his first attempt at the Queenstown Marathon.

‘‘I have a plan to stick to and if anyone can run faster than that, well the race will be theirs, but let’s just say I won’t be jogging along in what looks to be a quality field.’’

A leading challenger is Blair McWhirter, of Christchurch, who was third at the ASB Auckland Marathon. The 35-year-old believes he is in the right shape to contend for another podium, this time in Queenstown.

‘‘I like the look of the course too with the mix of road and off road, I think that suits my style, I can’t wait to get down there and give it a crack.’’

Others to watch include Jake JacksonGrammar, the former Manawatu triathlete is focusing more on the longer distance events and as the result of an arm injury has been restricted to running for the past six months.

Racing in the NZ Sotheby’s International Realty Half Marathon is expected to also be hugely competitive, with the men’s race serving up a host of possible winners.

2015 champion Mike Phillips, of Christchurch, is looking to repeat his efforts on that day and improve on his third placing last year.

Chris Sanson, of Manawatu, won the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay Half Marathon and represented New Zealand earlier this year and will likely relish the off-road trails that Queenstown offers.