The Cadbury Dunedin Marathon attracted a field of 1505 Brave and hardy soul across all three distances on the picturesque but wind chill swept Otago Harbour course this morning.
The marathon itself attracted a field of 158, who braved 4degC and a serious wind chill sweeping off the harbour, at the 8am start from Harington Point. Weather conditions improved somewhat, to a balmy 10deC with watery sunshine until the clouds thickened and a hail storm swept the course around midday.
After a fast and competitive first 30km, it was Sam McCutcheon (Wellington), who came through to take over the lead from course record holder Sam Wreford (Timaru) near Burkes. Despite visiting some dark places over the final 8km, McCutcheon crossed the finish line on Watson Park, Port Chalmers, to win the title in a personal best time of 2hr 27min 57, With Andy Good (Christchurch) second in 2hr 33min 32sec and Jason Hall (Queenstown) third in 2hr 42min 12sec.
Canterbury marathon champion Hannah Oldroyd praised a recent diet of Guiness, when she won the women's section in 2hr 59min 22sec, with Dunedin's Bella Bloomfield second in a personal best time of 3hr 4min 52sec and Wellington's Sarah Dallas third.
Bloomfield's second place earned her the Otago open women's marathon title with Balclutha-based Jason Palmer, who finish fourth overall in 2hr 50min 4sec winning the Otago open men's title.
Dunedin runners dominated both the half and quarter marathon sections with Kirk Madgewick winning the open men's half marathon title in a personal best time of 1hr 14min 45sec, with Shauna Pali the open women's title in 1hr 25min 3sec. While in the quarter marathon Sam Bremer clocked 40min 41sec to win the open men's title with Sarah Chisnall the open women's title in 47min 37sec.
Competitors did not lack for encouragement with pockets of support groups lining the course throughout.
Open winners:
Marathon - Sam McCutcheon (open men) & Hannah Oldroyd (open women)
Half marathon - Kirk Madgwick (open men) & Shauna Pali (open women)
Half marathon walk - Brent Sutherland (open men) & Jo Renton (open women)
Quarter marathon - Samuel Bremer (open men) & Sarah Chisnall (open women)
Quarter marathon walk - Alexander Brown (open men) & Lara Findlater (open women)
- full results in tomorrow's Otago Daily Times
