Burtin (24) is working towards a science degree in the department of nutrition and dietetics at Geneva University, and arrived in Dunedin on July 7 to spend a semester in the human nutrition department at the University of Otago.
Growing up in the ski resort of Verbier, in the French section of Switzerland, Burtin developed a love of wide open spaces, fresh air and landscapes.
So it is little wonder she has become a capable all-round endurance sportswoman in ski racing, rock climbing, mountaineering, road cycling, mountain biking, hiking and running.
Burtin combines her love of endurance sports with work as a ski instructor at the Verbier Swiss Ski School, during the weekends and winter holidays.
When she arrived in Dunedin, Burtin hunted around to feed her endurance bug.
She discovered the Moro-sponsored marathon, and decided to enter the half-marathon as she had never run one before.
"It is my first half-marathon, running," she said.
"Normally, I do mountain races back home, like Sierre-Zinal, a 31km race over mountain tracks.
"But I am delighted to run beside the ocean and to take the start of this half-marathon.
"At the same time, I feel a bit nervous, because it is my first half-marathon.
"I usually don't do a lot of running races, but it is a way to have small objectives to keep fit and to have a lot of fun and magic moments with my friends when we are training or when we are in the mountains."
Burtin's first love was ski racing events like the giant slalom, slalom and downhill.
She contested endurance events such as Patrouille des Glaciers and Trophee des Muverans.
Despite a mishap, she left Switzerland with fond memories of her recent performance in the 58km Trophee des Muverans, with boyfriend Bertrand Lovey, an event in which the altitude climbs to 2300m.
"I was feeling very good during the race.
"Unfortunately, my ski broke and I finished the race on one ski.
"We were disappointed, but at the same time, it was an amazing race and I was feeling very good.
"The sights were amazing and we had a lot of fun."
Not one to waste an opportunity to explore the wide open spaces, Burtin plans to travel around New Zealand at the end of the semester, in November.
"I want to discover this beautiful country and maybe climb some of its beautiful mountains."
Entries for the Dunedin marathon and half-marathon on September 9 are well ahead of those received at a corresponding time last year. Organisers are expecting entries of between 2500 and 3000.
