3Bridges Marathon looms

ALL CLEAR: 3Bridges Marathon co-ordinator Christian Conder does the rounds of the course before sounding the all clear. PHOTO/Bevan Conley

The 13th running of the Pak N Save Whanganui 3Bridges Marathon is proving luckier than last season as the December 10 date looms.

Last year the aftermath of the June floods was still impacting on sections of the riverside course, problems organisers no longer need worry about.

The annual event is the major fundraiser for host, the Wanganui Harrier Club and traditionally attracts upwards of 600 competitors.

Event co-ordinator Christian Conder, a nationally-ranked middle distance runner and captain of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country team for the World championships in Budapest earlier this year, said preparations had gone smoothly at this late stage of proceedings.

The marathon course takes in four full laps of the picturesque riverside lanes encompassing the Dublin. City and Cobham bridges.

The Property Brokers half marathon is two full laps, the Unichem 10km run just one lap and The Hits 5km is competed over a 5km section.

Conder said early feedback suggested a new class, the Let's Go 5km Corporate Relay, could prove a popular race.

"It includes teams of four running a 5km lap each. We did a bit of research and the feedback was positive that it would be well supported, so we are hoping businesses get behind this race," Conder said.

"This event is the main source of funding for the Wanganui Harrier Club. The club is family-orientated, so the money raised will be used to provide an affordable club for Whanganui people.

"It subsidises trips throughout the year for members and focuses on providing opportunities for youth to events, such as the Hawera Hughes Memorial, the Dorne Cup and the North Island XC Champs.

"I took on the role of race co-ordinator this year as a way to give back to the club. They have done a lot for me over the years and this event is a good way for me to repay some of it and push myself out of my comfort zone," Conder said.

"When we started the event in 2004 and relied heavily on word of mouth. From the club attracting around 200 people that year we have grown the event to over 600 participants.

"The event has been organised by Diane Hay and Alan Carter over the past few years who have done a great job working very hard to get the event to where it is - let's hope it continues."

Normal entries close on November 24, while late entries will be taken until December 9.