As one of the most successful athletes to have contested the event since its inception in 1979, she is among the early favourites to lift the open women’s crown.
With the return of Gabriela Diver (Auckland), who was third last year, the battle up front early on could be interesting with Ange Wreford (Timaru) and Ketina Chivasa (Auckland) both also likely to lodge competitive times.
But with a personal best marathon time of 2hr 46min 42sec, Aitken should
not be discounted.
Aitken was a gold medallist in the half marathon at the 2017 Oceania championships.
Three of her Dunedin Marathon victories came on the old course that began at Harington Point and followed a path to the finish on Watson Park, Port Chalmers.
Aitken first won the women’s title in 2012, finished second in 2013 and 2014, and won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
Modifications to the course followed, and the event finished inside Forsyth Barr Stadium in 2018 and 2019.
Despite major roadworks associated with the construction of the shared pathway on Portobello Rd causing some disruption, Aitken won a fourth title in 2019 and clocked her fastest time for the event, 2hr 55min 33sec.
Further alterations to the course and sponsorship arrangements now have the finish line on Anzac Avenue overbridge.
The changes have many of the opinion the course is faster, which could well play into the hands of Aitken.
Much can happen in 42.2km — and contenders other than the two Aucklanders and Wreford will no doubt emerge — so the race for the women’s title is bound to be a keenly contested affair.
The women’s record time for the Dunedin Marathon over all course modifications was posted by the late Bernie Portenski (Wellington) in 1992, when she posted 2hr 47min 4sec.
- By Wayne Parsons
