Yesterday's half-marathon was just another small step for post-doctoral fellow Antonio Berretta.
Berretta (32) was one of several first-time runners or walkers in the annual event, but he is no stranger to the roads of Dunedin.
Most of his running is purely social, although he took part in the 3km Santa run last December and the 10km Stadium to Surf earlier this year.
''I figured then the next step would be a half-marathon.''
''The exuberant Italian surprised himself, finishing 32nd overall in the half-marathon field of 1379 runners, recording 1hr 26min 4sec.
As you would expect of an Italian, Berretta's first love is football. He plays fullback for Northern, maintaining his fitness for the sport through running.
Many groups and organisations took part in yesterday's half-marathon run and walk sections. One group, representing the Kokiri Training Centre, consisted of 18 members, including four from one family.
A group of 17 represented King's High School, raising funds to attend the national touch tournament in Auckland in December. All but three of the group were boys who had to juggle yesterday's event with the South Island secondary schools tournament.
Upper Hutt's Ken McNatty ran yesterday's full marathon as part of his 69th birthday celebrations.
McNatty was joined at the finish chute by grandson Jai Kain (4), whose mother, Shannon Kain, won the Mosgiel Blokefree Triathlon last year.
It was McNatty's 30th marathon. He has run in Boston, Rotorua, Christchurch, Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa, but holds a special affinity for the Dunedin event.
''It's just such a great course. And the people are great,'' he said.
