Multisports: Marathoner follows dream

Gavin Stevens is looking forward to running marathon number 73 in cleaner air. Nissan's 100 per cent electric, zero emission vehicle, the Leaf, is the official pace car of this year's adidas Auckland Marathon.

Veteran athlete loves the freedom of running - after 200,000km.

Auckland runner Gavin Stevens has set his sights on a world record.

With under three months until the adidas Auckland Marathon, Stevens is preparing for his 73rd marathon to continue his impressive running record since he took up the sport 21 years ago. It will be just another step to his ultimate goal.

"My dream is to have a crack at the world record for 60+-year-olds which currently stands at 2:36:30," said the self-employed 56-year-old.

"It is still a few years away but has been the dream or target for nearly eight years now and I'm steadily bridging the gap."

Stevens has also set interim goals of breaking the individual age record for 57-year-olds next year of 2:33:12 or 2:35:51 for 58-year-olds the year after.

"Long term I would love to be the first 100-year-old to run a marathon but I suspect it might be done before I get there. If it has I'll break it. I want to be a walking, talking 100-year-old."

The 2XU-sponsored athlete has run the Auckland event 17 times and taken on the challenging 42.195km feat in 20 different cities.

His best time for a marathon came at Christchurch in 2001 when he ran 2.29.31 aged 45. He completed his first marathon in Auckland in 1991 at the age of 35 after retiring as a cyclist. These days he runs around three to six marathons a year. He loves hitting the pavement and the ease of running.

"I love the simplicity, time efficiency, safety, long term health, competition, nature, friendship and all at virtually no cost. You can run anywhere, anytime with just a pair of shorts, shoes and singlet. It is total freedom."

Stevens is looking forward to running number 73 in cleaner air. Nissan's revolutionary 100 per cent electric, zero emission vehicle, the Leaf, is leading the way as the official pace car of this year's adidas Auckland Marathon.

Last weekend Stevens tested out the Leaf with a run behind the vehicle along Auckland's Tamaki Drive - the second half of the Auckland Marathon - with members of the adiRun running group.

He says it is great to see Nissan New Zealand and adidas Auckland Marathon thinking about the impact its choice of pace vehicle has on participants.

"Having run in cities all over the world, many more populated and polluted than Auckland, it's encouraging that Auckland is drilling down to this level of detail and ensuring the best possible experience for its runners," said Stevens.

"I've probably clocked up in the vicinity of 200,000km run over the years and for the first time it will be great to be following a vehicle that's not pushing out carbon emissions from its tailpipe."

A second Nissan Leaf will also act as the 'tail-end Charlie' vehicle.

Nissan New Zealand managing director John Manley said the idea came from the New York City Marathon, where the Nissan Leaf has been the pace vehicle since 2010.

"It's great to see the adidas Auckland Marathon following in the footsteps of one of the world's most renowned marathons and embracing this new revolution in motoring which offers such a great fit with an event that is about health and well-being," said Manley.

adidas Auckland Marathon organiser Stephen Brown believes the Nissan Leaf is a natural fit for the event which has a commitment to being sustainable.

"New Zealand's premier running event already has a full field of 11,000 runners for the half and full marathons while we expect up to 16,500 people to take part on the day as entries continue to flow in for the quarter marathon, 5km and kids' runs," he said.