RUNNING

ASB Auckland Marathon entries reach milestone

By Sports Media NZ

With 50 days to go in the countdown to the 2015 ASB Auckland Marathon total entries across all five races have impressively smashed through the 10,000 barrier.
 
While the iconic running event on Sunday, November 1 sets off a few hours after what all Kiwi fans hope will be a successful All Blacks victory in the Rugby World Cup final, it has not diminished participants committing to the annual running festival in significant numbers.
 
And with the early entry fee price still available until 5pm on Thursday September 17, organisers expect a spike in entries at the bargain rate for this year’s race. 
 
ASB Auckland Marathon organisers are pleased with entry levels across all five races; ASB Auckland Marathon (6am start), the Barfoot & Thompson Half-Marathon (6.50am), the new 12k Traverse (9am), Heart Foundation 5k Challenge (10am) and Kids Marathon (11am).
 
“We are working to make this a celebration of an iconic sporting event here in Auckland and, we hope, an historic sporting occasion in London,” said Jane Patterson, the Asia-Pacific Chief Operating Officer for owners IRONMAN.
 
“We are delighted with the response so far and hope that the final week of the early price will encourage a further boost in entries.”
 
The ASB Auckland Marathon Event Team have done all they can to ensure race entrants will be given every chance to experience the Rugby World Cup Final, so if New Zealand takes its place in the final at Twickenham, an agreement has been reached with Sky Television to broadcast live coverage on a big screen at the start line on King Edward Parade, Devonport.
 
This will allow half-marathon participants to watch the entire final, which kicks off at 5am. Marathoners will be kept fully updated of events throughout their time on the course.
 
The 2015 edition has already attracted its usual range of celebrities, charity runners and elite athletes. Among the celebrities lined up to attack the half-marathon this year include legendary racing commentator George Simon, who was inspired to put on his running shoes after the son of his great friend, race horse trainer Dean Logan passed away earlier this year, and TVNZ presenter Nadine Chalmers-Ross.
 
If you are interested in joining them you can enter via the Auckland Marathon website www.aucklandmarathon.co.nz