Thousands join racing
Damp and chilly conditions did not hold Brett Ellis back from winning the ASB Christchurch Marathon.
Mud-splattered and sweatdrenched, the Melbournite crossed the finish line on the south side of Christ Church Cathedral yesterday after two hours and 27 minutes, beating about 500 other competitors and his own personal best time.
Though his hamstrings were ‘‘getting a bit sore’’ in the last 15 kilometres, Ellis emerged victorious in a close race with second-place getter and odds-on favourite Dougal Thorburn, of Wellington.
‘‘I knew Dougal was racing and that he won about two years ago and ran two [hours] 25 [minutes], so I knew it was going to be a good contest,’’ Ellis said.
About 4200 people participated in the marathon, half marathon and 10km events at the 38th annual event, despite ‘‘perfect conditions’’ – a calm, overcast 7 degrees Celsius – at the start giving way to persistent rain, race director Chris Cox said.
The mood was generally jubilant, with some runners in superhero costumes, animal onesies and yellow afro wigs.
An eight-person team carrying water jugs around the course raised more than $4000 for Engineers Without Borders.
While the half marathon winners, Brad Croker and Alice Mason, would soon begin training for the Gold Coast Marathon in July, women’s marathon winner Hannah Oldroyd said she would be ‘‘in the pub drinking Guinness’’ last night – just like she was the night before. Her time of two hours and 48 minutes saw her cross the finish line about five minutes before second-placer Mel Aitken, of Greymouth.
Before the race began, a moment of silence was observed for recently-deceased Olympic runner Dick Quax who won the Christchurch half marathon in 1984.