Early birds catch the worms and also get to enter iconic races for cheaper prices as entries are now open for the 2017 Pak 'n Save 3 Bridges Marathon on December 9.
The popular course, which has attracted nearly 550 walkers and runners in the past two years since changes were made to the registration process, takes in the Dublin St, City, and Cobham bridges alongside the Whanganui River - testing entrants with surface variations of sealed road, footpaths, brief grass and walking tracks.
Laps of the course add up to 42km for the marathon run and walk, and 21km for the half marathon, as well as a 10km distance option and a 5km (one lap) fun run or walk.
There are also corporate relays and for the first time this year, a special McDonalds 1.2km Kids Fun-Run-Athon, designed for under 13 schoolchildren.
"They're encouraged in schools to run like 500m or 1km in school time [to practice], then 1.2km at the 3 Bridges Marathon," said spokesman Rob Conder.