Tauranga Marathon attracting all ages

Sheryn Shadbolt on a training run along Papamoa Beach ahead of the Tauranga International Marathon. Photo/John Borren

It is not just elite marathon runners from throughout New Zealand taking part in the first Tauranga International Marathon on October 7.

Runners and walkers have the option of competing in the full marathon, half marathon, 10.5km or 6km distances. There is also a kids' dash along The Strand waterfront that is set to be a fun end to the event.

Sheryn Shadbolt, 70, from Papamoa will take part in her first major running event in the 10.5km race.

She has competed as a walker for many years but decided the first Tauranga International Marathon was the ideal way to celebrate her 70th birthday.

"It is a big number birthday so let's do it. My husband Alan is a couple of years younger than me, and he is a marathon runner. I always walk when he runs, but I'd like to do running too," she said.

"I want to get out and do things, to show other people that we can do anything at our age. I needed to start now before it's getting too late - we all need to keep moving.

"New areas keep me interested, but I wanted to support this new marathon that Tauranga is putting on. It is exciting to be part of it."

Shadbolt said the biggest challenge in training for the 10.5km race was "trying to move faster than a walk because I am so stuck in my ways".

"Just focusing on it and getting conditioned to it I suppose as I am used to being a walker. I have to adjust my mindset. That's a biggie."

Shadbolt had one simple goal for the 10.5km race - to finish it.

"My husband is running [the] whole marathon, so it will be nice to be running in the same event as him. He is injured at the moment and is trying to sort that out so he can compete as well."

Getting training partners has been difficult so Shadbolt has had to dig deep for motivation.

"It has to be self-motivation - totally, totally, totally. I just have to keep ignoring it when I say to myself 'why are you doing this?'. A lot of people I have told about doing the race have said 'you're mad. What are you doing that for?'

"I am doing it because I haven't done it before and it is a good opportunity while we can.

"You start challenging yourself in different ways. You look around and you see other people hampered, one by their thoughts and two by their attitudes. You gotta realise there are limits out there but you don't want to limit yourself if you can help it."

Tauranga International Marathon
- October 7
- Run/walk marathon 42.2km, half marathon 21.1km, 10.5km, 6km, kids' dash
- Marathon course includes the Daisy Hardwick boardwalk/estuary, Fergusson Park and waterfront, Mount Maunganui loop track, Marine Parade, and along the Matapihi rail bridge to finish on The Strand.
- Information: www.marathontauranga.co.nz