Organisers are anticipating another record field in this year's Dunedin Marathon.
Figures released by organisers to date are 130 ahead of the corresponding time last year, making the prospect of a field of more than 2000 a possibility.
Organisers of the Christchurch event at Queens Birthday weekend discovered the revival in such events has doubled the number of competitors in recent years, to the record 4500 this year, which has possibly had some flow-on effect to the Dunedin event.
This, combined with the ability to enter online, could be major factors in the growth in participation as, once again, Dunedin's September 14 event has attracted interest not only from North Cape to Bluff, but also from around the world.
The growing interest in the full marathon has delighted organisers, with the 156 entries received to date already making for a record field. In all, 1631 entries have been received with 919 entered to run the half marathon and 556 walking the distance.
These figures are also well ahead of the corresponding time last year.
Not only are large fields expected, fast times are forecast both in the half marathon and full marathon sections across the grades.
An early favourite for the half marathon is Wellington's Dougal Thorburn, who estimated a time of 1hr 10min.
Thorburn will have to overcome a strong challenge from Canterbury's Luke Armstrong and Dunedin's Andrew Lonie and Glen Ferguson, all with similar projected times.
To date, no firm favourite has emerged in the women's sections, with a number of prominent runners still guarded as to their participation.
Again, a keen interest has been lodged from the 100 club - those who have contested 100 or more full marathons.
Among them are Wellington's Michael Stewart and Dunedin's James Park.
The marathon begins at Harington Point at 8am, on Sunday, September 14, with the first finishers expected to reach Watson Park, Port Chalmers about 10.30am.
The associated half marathon and half marathon walk events begin at the north end of Teviot St at 9.30am.
