Organisers of the Dunedin Marathon are expecting another record field, with 2100 people already entered in the September 13 race.
First held in 1979, the event was taken over by the Caversham Harrier Club in 1985, when there was a field of about 400.
Increases were minimal until the latter part of last century, and the field reached 1000 for the first time in 2001.
Since then, participation levels have grown by an average of 8.5% each year, with 1913 participants last year, including record levels in the marathon, half marathon and half marathon walk.
One of many runners returning to Dunedin for the race is Michael Stewart, of Wellington, who will be contesting his 461st marathon.
Stewart (57) started running in 1962 and competed in his first marathon in 1970.
Although he has a best time of 2hr 59min 7sec, he says his time will be nothing like that in Dunedin in September.
"I don't really care about my time," Stewart said.
"I don't really have to prove anything to anybody.
"Just crossing the finish is success in itself.
"It doesn't matter how long it takes you."
Stewart also has a passion for ballroom dancing.
"I'm really loving the dancing side at the moment.
"You could say I'm still looking to balance the two."
One goal Stewart wishes to achieve before his love of dancing takes over is running 500 marathons.
The Dunedin Marathon is set for a course change, with the field to be directed on to the harbourside cycleway near the new stadium site, returning to the Port Chalmers highway at Maia.
The marathon starts about 1km from the albatross colony visitors centre at 8am, with buses departing the Edgar Centre for the start at 6.45am.
The associated half marathon starts in Portsmouth Dr at 9.30am.
