With a little under two weeks remaining until early-bird entries close for this year’s Cadbury Dunedin Marathon, entries are on par with recent years.
Earlier this week, entries had reached the 500 mark across all sections for the September 11 event, a figure down on a corresponding time last year, but ahead on a corresponding figure two years ago.
While it is still too early to get a trend to what the final numbers are likely to be, 500 confirmed entries at this stage based on figures over recent years would suggest another field of around 2000 across the five categories, the marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon, half marathon walk and quarter marathon walk.
Organisers expect entries to pick up as the early-bird deadline of August 22 nears and this figure should increase significantly over the coming days for the September 11 event.
However, late entries can be lodged online until September 6, and at race headquarters, at the Sargood Centre until 4pm on September 10, but with an additional late entry fee.
Individual figures across the five sections suggest, at this stage, fields in each category will be similar to recent years.
Title favourites are yet to emerge, but Sabrina Grogan will be one to watch for in the open women’s section of the half marathon run.
Grogan, a second-year medical student, has been one of the stars for the Hill City-University Harrier Club this winter, featuring in the club retaining senior women’s titles at both the Lovelock and Ponydale cross-country relay events, and winning the senior women’s individual title at the recent Otago cross-country.
Plenty of interest has been shown in the full marathon.
Local legend Morris Hall is set to contest the event for the 30th time, and has the honour of wearing the prestigious No1 for a second time.
Another in the full marathon has requested the number 77, the digits representative of the seventh Dunedin Marathon for the competitor, and a seventh consecutive time on the course.
There have been a number of changes for the event this year, affecting the start of the half and quarter marathon events, which will now be in Logan Park Dr.
The quarter marathon events start at 9.15am and half marathon run at 9.30am and half marathon walk at 9.35am.
No changes have been made to the marathon course, which will start 1km south of the Albatross Colony, at Taiaroa Head, at 8am.
All events finish on Watson Park at Port Chalmers.
In other changes from recent years, race headquarters will now be at the Sargood Centre in Logan Park Dr.
This has a number of benefits for competitors and supporters alike and allows for better access and accommodation for several sponsors’ stands.
The remaining change is the prize-giving venue, now at The Hub, corner Forth and Union Sts, which also allows for greater access.
Those wishing to test their capabilities before the September 11 race day, are invited to take part in the annual Marafun run from the Caledonian Ground, at 10am on Sunday, August 28. Course options are 5km and 10km.
