Joseph, an engineer from Swansea, turns 33 on Friday but will be holding off on any celebrations until after the race.
With wife Emma competing in the half-marathon, father-in-law Eric Baxter running in the age-group categories of the marathon, mother-in-law Catherine Baxter playing a crucial role in support, and the finish line opposite a brewery, it is going to be some sort of belated birthday bash.
Joseph is a longtime member of Swansea Harriers, one of the United Kingdom’s best-known athletic clubs, and running has played a major role in his life for as long as he can remember.
The coastal paths of Gower, the first declared area of oustanding beauty in the UK, and Carmarthenshire, along with Swansea Bay promenade, the site of the world’s first passenger railway with eye-catching views across the bay to Mumbles Head, provided perfect training grounds.
His regular running route passes several landmarks including the Art Deco Guildhall, the Patti Pavilion, Singleton Park and Clyne Gardens.
The local Welsh-Italian ice-cream parlours provide a welcome stop after training.
Although he has contested several middle-distance events, Joseph prefers the challenges the marathon and half-marathon distances present.
He has run over 40 half-marathons in the past decade with a personal best of 1hr 14min 20sec, clocked in the Wrexham half last year, and said Dunedin would be his 10th marathon and his first outside Europe.
Last year was a stellar one as he set a personal-best marathon time in Barcelona, clocking 2hr 38min 53sec, a time that would surely see him finish in the top 10 on Sunday morning.
More recently, he ran 2hr 40min in Frankfurt and 2hr 41min in London.
Training for Dunedin has meant some warm long runs in the recent UK summer conditions, which have often been about 25°C.
"My peak weeks have reached 60-70 miles [96-112km], including long runs, intervals, tempo, and plenty of steady aerobic mileage," he said.
"I’m coached by Welsh international runner Dewi Griffiths, whose guidance has been key in my buildup."
Inspiration to contest the Dunedin marathon came from his Scottish in-laws, who have long wanted to visit New Zealand.
His father-in-law is a retired journalist who had a long career at the Greenock Telegraph, but he is far from slowing down.
Eric Baxter clocks up more than 64km a week and, with some 54 marathons to his name, is targeting a Dunedin marathon time of about 3hr 40min, an impressive benchmark for his age-group and a time that will keep his son-in-law focused on his game.
Joseph’s wife, Emma, whom he met at Swansea University’s running club, is also a seasoned athlete.
She is targeting a sub-90min time on Sunday for the half-marathon, a time that could well see her featuring in the final mix in the women’s section of the race.
"Emma and her parents are Scottish and should feel right at home in Dunedin.
"We can’t wait to experience Dunedin’s scenic course in what we’re sure will be a fantastic event."
His mother-in-law will be their key supporter.
"Although she is not a runner herself, she plays a crucial role supporting us in our races and barely misses a race."
By Wayne Parsons
