It would not be a marathon without a passing thought on the man who unlocked the secrets and mastered the art of long-distance running.
Arthur Lydiard's legacy will be well represented in tomorrow's Dunedin marathon and half-marathon events, by Timaru's Sam Wreford in the marathon and Dougal Thorburn in the half-marathon.
Both are familiar with the benefits achieved from the Lydiard training regime, and both are familiar with Dunedin's fickle climate that often has a role to play in the event, particularly in the marathon, where a head wind often dictates tactics.
For Wreford, it will be his fourth attempt at the full marathon.
He ran his first on the Dunedin course two years ago, finishing second to Rowan Hooper (Christchurch) in 2hr 27min 36sec.
His approach to tomorrow's event will be the same as it was in 2008: sound pace judgement on the first 25km followed by a 17km time trial.
Wreford (27), an appliance technician, has the experience and coaching judgement to know what he is capable of on the day.
He is coached by Lydiard disciple and 1960 Rome Olympic marathon bronze medallist Barry Magee.
Since his first marathon on the Dunedin course two years ago, Wreford has continued to lower his times.
He finished second to Phil Costley in the Buller marathon last year in 2hr 23min 20sec, and then won the gruelling Lydiard Legends marathon, raced around the Waitakere Ranges circuit.
Not only did Wreford win the Waitakere event but he defeated defending champion Scott Winton and clocked a record time of 2hr 23min 11sec.
Wreford is no stranger to the streets of Dunedin.
He won the silver medal in the national road championships around the Butts Rd circuit last year.
He confirmed he was an emerging distance talent by winning the Canterbury road championship title.
Honours in the women's section of the Moro-sponsored marathon appear wide open at this stage, with a handful of runners estimating times around 3hr 30min, and the final results could be determined by late entries today.
Among those already entered who could feature are Aucklander Ingrid Frost, who ran her 96th marathon on the course last year, and international ultra-distance representative Val Muskett (Waikouaiti).
Among other possible contenders are Dunedin's Clare McDonald, Alice Barach and Tracy Courname.
McDonald has estimated her time at 3hr 20min, while both Barach and Courname are looking at 3hr 30min.
Kellie Palmer (Christchurch) is the favourite for the open women's title in the half-marathon, while Pakuranga's Michelle Hopkins, with an estimated time of 1hr 20min, and Wanaka's Eveline Coombe could also feature.
Another to watch in the marathon field tomorrow is Dunedin's Morris Hall, who will be contesting his 24th consecutive marathon on the course with an estimated time of 4hr 55min.
Thorburn's main rivals in the men's half-marathon are expected to be Luke Hurring (Christchurch) along with locals Tony Payne and Daniel Balchin.
Dunedin marathon
The facts
8am: Marathon starts 1km from the albatross colony visitors centre
9.30am: Half-marathon starts 100m north of Teviot St
10.30am: First runners expected at finish line at Watson Park, Port Chalmers
