3 more bridges to cross

People from all walks of life enter the annual Whanganui 3 Bridges Marathon.

It is a new day and the organisers of the 13th annual Pak 'N Save Whanganui 3 Bridges Marathon were preparing for a good crowd this morning for the annual four laps of the 10.5km course around Whanganui River.

This is the first year the event is being run by new co-ordinator Christian Conder, the nationally ranked middle distance runner and NZ Secondary Schools cross country team captain, with late entries closing at lunchtime yesterday rather than including the "walk-up" crowd on the day.

Race packs were being made available to entrants yesterday evening and Wanganui Harrier Club spokesman Bill Charnock said 450 had been named already, before looking at the rest of the online entries.

Organisers will be hoping to clear the 544 entries of last year, although that was a lower figure than the 628 of 2014 and the record 709 of 2013, due to uncertainty about the course following the June floods.

This time there are no such concerns and Charnock said even the work being done by contractors on the track across from the SteamRail Wanganui Inc building on Taupo Quay were completed ahead of schedule on Wednesday.

In addition, the expected wet weather may not set in until midday when, barring a few stragglers, most of the competitors will be finished.

As the major fundraiser for the Harriers, this year's event will feature a first time Corporate Relay, where teams of four will run one 5km lap each.

The full course encompasses the Dublin, City and Cobham bridges.

Race Timetable
6.30am: Pak n Save Marathon Walk
7.30am: Pak n Save Marathon Run
8am: Property Brokers Half Marathon Walk
8.40am: Property Brokers Half Marathon Run
9am: Let's Go! Corporate Relay
9.30am: Unichem Whanganui 10km
9.40am: The Hits 5km
2pm: Prize Giving at Moutoa Gardens.