RUNNING

Internationals pose threats to Kiwis in ASB Auckland Marathon

By Sports Media NZ



The elite men’s race at the 2015 ASB Auckland Marathon is set to serve up a compelling domestic versus overseas battle which further cements the increasingly global appeal of New Zealand’s most high profile marathon.

Leading the home challenge is earthquake scientist Nick Horspool (Wellington Scottish) who will be hoping to create a tremor and go one better than his runner-up position behind Stephen Lett in last year’s race.

Horspool, is a relative latecomer to the sport having only taken up running to keep fit in his mid-20s, but the 33-year-old is in outstanding form and posted a new marathon personal best time of 2:24:45 at the Lake Biwa Marathon in Japan in March.

With the New Zealand Marathon Championship also on in line the Wellington-based athlete will not be lacking in motivation when he takes to the start line on Sunday November 1.

Leading the overseas challenge will be the fastest man in the field Adriano Bastos. The vastly experienced Brazilian ran 2:15:39 to finish 19^th at the 2009 World Championships and with a string of international victories behind him he is sure to be a major threat.

Now aged 37, Bastos is not quite in the form of old but he is seeking a time of around 2:22 and is likely to figure prominently.  

Another athlete with designs on victory will be Japan’s New Zealand-based Hirotaka Tanimoto. The 30-year-old member of Wellington Scottish – who recently helped the club secure gold at the National Road Relay Championships – was an impressive winner at the Christchurch Marathon in May in 2:24:13 and will be out to add the ASB Auckland Marathon to his cache of titles.    

Among the other elite entrants for the ASB Auckland Marathon include; marathon debutant and three-time national 10,000m champion Aaron Pulford (Whangamata) and Jonathan Jackson (Auckland City), a podium finisher at the Rotorua Marathon earlier this year.

Leading the entries in the elite women’s race is 52-year-old veteran Sally Gibbs. The Tauranga Ramblers runner stole the headlines at the 50^th edition of the Rotorua Marathon last year by winning in an impressive 2:45:58 and after landing the World Masters Mountain Running title in Wales last month, the evergreen performer is clearly in top shape. 

Another interesting contender is Napier’s Ruby Muir. Better known for her impressive achievements in trail running, the 24-year-old more recently switched focus to road running winning the Wellington Marathon in July in 2:49:08 and could be a major threat in Auckland. 

Other lead contenders in the women’s elite race will be Katie Kemp (Wellington Scottish) 2:49:55 and Kelly Parlane (North Harbour Bays) 2:52:20. Watch out also for Auckland multi-sport phenomenon Melanie Burke, who will be looking for a prominent showing in New Zealand’s premier marathon. The 35-year-old has represented her country across several endurance sports and finished third in the elite women’s race at the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand earlier this year.

The leading contender in the Barfoot & Thompson Half Marathon will be New Zealand Cross Country and Road Race champion Malcolm Hicks, who is currently enjoying a rich vein of form.  Hicks set a half-marathon best of 1:05:39 set in Christchurch in May and will take all the beating over the 21.1km distance.

In the women’s elite race at the Barfoot & Thompson Half Marathon, Camille Buscomb will start clear favourite to defend her title. The Hamilton-based athlete has enjoyed an outstanding year winning 5000m silver at the World University Games and will be chasing more success on the streets of Auckland as she looks to build towards securing a spot on the track at next year’s Rio Olympics.

The event from 6am on Sunday November 1 comprises the ASB Auckland Marathon, the Barfoot & Thompson Half and the 12k Traverse, which all cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge; the Heart Foundation 5k Challenge and the Kids Marathon.

To enter and for details: www.aucklandmarathon.co.nz