Organisers of this weekend’s Queenstown Marathon say they will make a call "later in the week" about a last-minute course change for full marathon participants.
Almost 4000 people will set out from Millbrook Resort on Saturday morning to complete the 42.2km distance — the largest field in the event’s 11-year history — largely traversing the Queenstown Trail network to finish at the Queenstown Rec Ground.
However, one section of the Lake Hayes Track, estimated to be about 1km long, around the southern wetlands, is virtually impassable.
Former mayor Jim Boult, who lives above the track, said the water between the boardwalk and past Threepwood was knee-deep in places.
"I think it’s the highest I’ve seen it in 43 years."
The track, in parts around that area, was not even visible, while there were also numerous hazards, including floating branches and displaced rocks.
In a statement to Mountain Scene yesterday afternoon, a Queenstown Marathon spokesperson said "no final decision has been made regarding any course changes".
"We will make a call later in the week once we have a clearer picture of conditions and will provide timely updates to all athletes."
Scene understands that a contingency plan would see runners enter the Lake Hayes Track per usual, from Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Rd, head south and then be diverted near the Lake Hayes Pavilion.
They would essentially retrace their steps before following the track along the northern end of the lake, and continuing on to Rutherford Rd.
One athlete, who Scene has agreed not to name, first asked organisers last Saturday if there was a contingency plan in place due to the flooding.
More heavy rain, exacerbating the problem, fell on Monday, the same day an Ironman Oceania Group spokesperson told the athlete there were no changes to the course planned, but they were "closely monitoring the risk".
The athlete said they were surprised no official communications had come out by now. — Allied Media
