RUNNING

Christchurch Airport Marathon

By MDJ Media & Events

The 2016 Christchurch Airport Marathon is under starter’s orders for Sunday 5th June. And like Christchurch itself, the event continues a rebuild that promises to make it bigger and better than ever.
 
In 2015 the annual Queens Birthday Weekend event celebrated its 35th year by returning to its central city home for the first time since the earthquakes. Established in 1981 and renowned as the South Island’s premier marathon event, close to 6000 participants turned out prior to the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Forced away from its traditional central city route, numbers dropped to around 4000. But in 2015 a return to the city attracted the biggest entry since 2010.
 
A new route showcasing the iconic landmarks around Christchurch city was well received. More than 5000 participants from 15 countries enjoying perfect weather and an estimated 15,000 spectators, and organisers are keen to build on this success in 2016.
 
But race director Chris Cox points out that their top priority are the changes being made to mitigate impact on businesses, residents and transport networks.
 
The event will once again revolve around Cathedral Square and take a scenic tour of famous landmarks such as Hagley Park, Christchurch Casino and the Avon River. The format for race day remains the same, featuring the classic 42.2k marathon distance, the 21.1k half marathon, as well as the 10k and the Kids’ Mara’Fun. It will also host the New Zealand half marathon championship.
 
“Participant feedback from 2015 was great,” says Cox. “But we always strive to make the event better.”
 
“We know that the event had a major impact on traffic networks. So that is the top priority in our planning for 2016 and we’ve been working with key stakeholders since August to refine the route and our operation.”
 
“Christchurch City Council, CTOC, ECAN and entities such as CDHB have been an integral part of consultation and we’ll be consulting again with businesses and residents affected by the route itself.”
 
“Participants really enjoyed the course,” says Cox. “It’s scenic, safe, flat and fast, has great spectator appeal and is actually quite close to the traditional route prior to the earthquakes. But we have to make sure that Christchurch as a whole remains positive about its own marathon.”
 
With more than 1000 participants being visitors to Christchurch, the event generated more than $2million of positive economic impact for the City. But Cox says his goal for the event revolves around the advice of the late Brian Taylor, who was the Chairman of the Christchurch Marathon Trust when he died tragically in the CTV building during the February 2011 earthquake.
 
“I actually took over organising the event from Brian in 1995 and he said to me then that our goal should be for the event to reflect the community and benefit the community. We want to honour his memory by honouring his advice.”
 
Entries for the 2016 Christchurch Airport Marathon are now open. Visit www.christchurchmarathon.co.nz