Half marathon: Run records on the line this weekend

Northlander Mary Davies still holds the women's record in the Fullers GreatSights Kerikeri Half Marathon from her effort back in 2003. Photo / Michael Cunningham

With entries having closed off yesterday for this weekend's 25th annual Fullers GreatSights Kerikeri Half Marathon, many are wondering if the record times for the event will finally be broken.

Aucklander Seaton Meredith has held the men's half marathon record since 1999 when he finished in a time of 1:05:14 while last year's Northland Sportswoman of the Year, Mary Davies, has held the women's record since 2003 when she finished in a time of 1:15:19.

Over 2000 have already entered the popular event including many sporting stars set to line up on Saturday.

Former Black Sticks women's captain Krystal Forgesson and fellow Black Stick Emily Naylor, are set to tackle one of their first half marathons having recently retired from representative hockey.

Both players had impressive records for New Zealand with Forgesson notching up 220 test caps and scoring 77 goals while Naylor managed an impressive 256 caps for New Zealand during a very successful period for the Black Sticks.

Last year's winner of the Kerikeri Half Marathon men's division Sasha Daniels, of Auckland, is back to defend his title and is likely to be challenged by Whangarei's Harry Linford, who ran his first half marathon at Kerikeri last year.

Fellow Aucklanders Katrin Gottschalk and Sarah Raine are likely to be challenged by Kerikeri's Maria Akesson in the women's division.

Once again this event will draw large numbers to Kerikeri from throughout the country.

The overall winners of the 2014 Sport Northland Run/Walk Series will be decided following the Kerikeri Half Marathon. Currently Kerikeri's Akesson is one point ahead of Whangarei's Carolyn Younger on the Potter Electrical Leaderboard going into the final event of the series.

In the men's division, Whangarei's Ian Calder has already racked up enough points to take out the 2014 men's title from Wellsford's Louis Young.

Sport Northland and the Kerikeri Half Marathon have again teamed up with the Cancer Society to help raise funds in Northland, with previous events raising considerable sums.

The half marathon will be followed by the popular Kerikeri Street Party which starts at 5pm. The main street is closed, food stalls line the street plus there is entertainment, including bands, which creates a great atmosphere for a fun evening.

To find out more about the Kerikeri Half Marathon, visit www.runwalkseries.co.nz.