But for Czech couple Zdenek Plachy and Alexandra Pichalova the Dunedin marathon is just part of a master plan.
The couple took their vows at Nelahozeves Castle on August 19, and opted for a combination of seasons for their honeymoon destinations, combining sun, sea and snow with a bit of asphalt.
"When we are looking for our holiday destination we try to find some sport event there, too. Simple lying on the beach is not enough for us," Zdenek said.
"We found a cold but nice honeymoon destination in New Zealand, South Island and Dunedin and its marathon. Of course, we are not so crazy to spend our honeymoon by marathon running. New Zealand is our honeymoon’s first destination. Then we continue to Australia and Singapore to relax and enjoy sun after."
The couple are both seasoned competitors across a range of individual sporting pursuits including triathlon, iron man and distance running.
Plachy (42) owns and operates a small software company, and Pichalova (28) is a municipality clerk in children’s law.
But as weekend warriors, the two have travelled the continents, contesting many of the great marathons including Prague, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, New York, Marrakech, Istanbul and Honolulu, while also taking on the heights of the Jungfrau Marathon and Zermatt Ultramarathon in the Swiss Alps and the Great Wall Marathon in China.
While the pair boast an impressive resume of distance running, they are quick to play down their prospects and point out that they are not "super-speedy runners".
Plachy has a personal best for the marathon of 3hr 33min 54sec and Pichalova 3hr 53min 7sec.
But when marathon is off the athletic menu, the couple turn to triathlon and iron man competition, and have compiled an envious record.
While still to tackle a full iron man, Pichalova is a multiple half iron man finisher, with a personal best of 6hr 17min 17sec.
Plachy has finished three full distance iron man races with a personal best of 11hr 9min 47sec, and numerous half iron man events, with personal best of 5hr 17min 16sec.
The pair said that while they are very competitive in small local triathlon races in the Czech Republic, that they get brought down to earth at pro events.
"I must state we are not any professionals. We are hobby athletes for whom triathlon and running is just part of activities we do. We do not take it too serious. We just enjoy it."
The couple plan to make the most of their trip through the South Island and take in as much of the scenery and attractions as possible, already there is no doubt as to their intentions to run the Dunedin marathon course.
"Every marathon is special. It is going to be my 30th marathon, and I can’t say which is most special," Plachy said.
He added there were many reasons why the couple wished to run the Dunedin Marathon.
"I’m sure it will be also very special. I think it is most distant marathon from our house possible. Exactly 18,200km. Almost perfect Antipodes. And we are slowly completing marathons on all continents. Antarctica only left."
