Queenstown: A remarkable day of running

Rachel Grunwell runs in the Queenstown Marathon. Photo / Rachel Grunwell

Women outweigh the men in Queenstown's first official marathon, says Rachel Grunwell.

Snowy, jagged, misty mountains are memorable from Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies. Those same impressive, majestic peaks are also a sensational backdrop for the new Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon.

In November, I ran in the inaugural marathon and nabbed a personal best time here in Middle-earth. Just between us ... I imagined scary orcs chasing me for the full 42km to hotfoot it as fast as I could.

Actually, I just tried to keep up with a wizard in the kitchen, acclaimed celebrity chef Josh Emett. He beat me by about four minutes. I guess his long legs were always going to outrun my hobbitish pins ...

We were among 6000 runners (the event also had a half-marathon, 10km and 3km and kids' runs). An impressive 90 per cent of runners were from outside the region, while 63 per cent were female, with an average age of 39.

"Maybe they're all here for a girls' weekend away," the marathon's chief executive and race director Dave Beeche quipped.

I fit this brief of the average runner (chick in her late 30s from Auckland). Perhaps the other gals were like me too: Here for a "run-cation" (holiday planned around a run/walk event). I travelled with my run club GetRunning.

Queenstown is postcard-pretty and movie-set magical. It's known as an adventure capital too, with heaps of hair-raising stuff like jetboating, bungy-jumping, skydiving and skiing. Plus, cute shops and top restaurants.

As for the run (my fourth marathon), the race started at 8.15am at the tree-lined Millbrook Resort. The course showcased the Crown and Remarkables snowy mountains, Arrowtown, Lake Hayes and the glistening waters of the Kawarau River and Lake Wakatipu. It's a mostly flat course, but with some meaty hills. Thankfully, I finished as a storm took grip. I was wind-blown and wet when I got the unique square-shaped medal - yet I beamed brighter than if I'd found a "precious" ring.

It takes a swag of determination to train for and complete a marathon. It's not about the finish time; rather about relishing smashing a personal goal.

Queenstown has an amazing new race. I'd love to return for another square-medal gem in this mountain peak paradise: Magic.

PRE-RACE FUN

Go jetboating or try a Nomad Safaris tour. The tour was a thrilling adventure through rugged canyons and up a mountain. If you're a fan of the LOTR movies, the tour crosses several filming locations.

PRE-RACE DINNER

Carb/protein load at award-winning restaurant Rata (owned by Josh Emett and local restaurateur Fleur Caulton). I recommend the merino lamb rump. The hard chocolates with caramel inside rocked my world too.

POST-RACE MEAL

Jack's Point on a 1214ha golf course and under the Remarkables.

CHECKLIST

Getting there: Air New Zealand flies daily to Queenstown from Auckland.

Accommodation: Eichardt's Hotel has a lakefront spot, superb staff and top food.