Dunedin Pair Win Inaugural Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon

James Parsons and Victoria Beck have etched their names in New Zealand running history, winning the inaugural Air New Zealand Queenstown International marathon today, setting the benchmark for others to follow in the years ahead on one of the world’s most spectacular marathon courses.

An overcast and showery day did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the sold out fields taking part in a variety of events from the kids fun run, the 10k run, the ASICS Half Marathon and the Air New Zealand Marathon that took participants on a stunning course that wound its way via off road trails and lake side pathways from Arrowtown to Queenstown.

Originally from Dunedin, 27 year old Parsons was delighted and remarkably fresh upon crossing the line in 2 hours, 33 minutes and 43 seconds, an amazing time on what is considered a challenging course.

“I started out trying to settle down and take it easy for the first half, I spoke to a guy running next to me and said ‘relax, we will catch the guy up front on the trail’, but he decided to pull off so I was left on my own. The leader was well out at halfway but he seemed to blow up at around the 28k mark and I managed to catch him at Frankton on the big hill. I gave him a cheeky comment and tried not to breathe as I went past. From then I just hung on, I am quite sore but man, it is so worth it.”

32 year old Victoria Beck won the women’s race and was equally thrilled to etch her name in history at such a stunning venue. Like Parsons Beck is from Dunedin but nowadays based in Australia and made the trip back specifically for the Air New Zealand sponsored event.

“It means a lot, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, I knew it was going to be tough but I love running around Queenstown, it is beautiful here, just amazing. I had some low points, around Lake Hayes and the back of Frankton, it was pretty hilly I was kind of in the hurt box a little bit and had to keep pushing. I was thinking though ‘I am going to live here one day’ and it is just beautiful and I tried to push through. Running on the trails is easier on the mind than running on asphalt so that really helped.”

The Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon embedded itself into the local community, so much so that the event gave back directly to the Queenstown Trails Trust Charity that manages the trails that were walked, jogged and run over today.

“What a tremendous inaugural marathon event we have seen and for this to be a sell-out in its first year is outstanding,” said Mandy Kennedy, CEO Queenstown Trails Trust.

“The Queenstown Trails Trust are truly grateful for the donation of $27 966.81 from the Marathon which will go toward future trail maintenance and development in the Wakatipu Basin. To see 6,000 competitors doing their best on the course which included a significant portion on the Queenstown Trail was brilliant with the outstanding beauty of our trails and region truly on show.”

The regional and international appeal of the event was clear to see, with 90% of participants from outside the Central Otago region and 10% from overseas countries including Australia, Japan, USA, China and the United Kingdom. In total just on 6,000 participants lined up across all events, seeing entries close off some four months prior to event day.

Event CEO Dave Beeche was thrilled with the day.

“This has just exceeded all of our expectations. We have hit year five targets in year one, such was the demand to be a part of what we know will become an iconic marathon event on the world calendar – New Zealand can be so proud of this stunning location. Conditions early in the day were perfect for running if not for spectators and the feedback about the course is as we expected, people just loved running in this amazing part of the world on beautifully prepared off-road trails.”

Air New Zealand certainly walked the walk, with close to 200 staff participating across the variety of events on offer. Chief Sales and Commercial Officer Cam Wallace spoke of their pride in being part of a great day.

“We’re proud to support this world class event in one of the airline’s key markets and envisage that the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon will be a major annual draw card – a true destination marathon to sit alongside the world’s best. With more than 90 percent of participants travelling to Queenstown for the event, the local economy is sure to see benefits from this event during a shoulder travelling period.”

QLDC Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the inaugural event had brought colour and excitement to the Wakatipu basin this weekend and she congratulated the participants and the organisers for a successful event.

“The community through the Council has been a major sponsor of the Marathon, and our staff have been working with the organisers for months to ensure they could deliver a top class experience for competitors and spectators in this special environment.”

Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon
Results

Air New Zealand Marathon
Men
1 James Parsons, Dunedin, 2:33:43
2 Dave Ridley, Christchurch, 2:37:31
3 Sam McCutcheon, 2:41:04
Women
1 Victoria Beck, Dunedin, 2:55:21
2 Mel Aitken, Dunedin, 2:59:39
3 Katherine Morgan, Christchurch, 3:00:49

Asics Half Marathon
Men
1 Adam Jacques, Christchurch, 1:16:01
Women
1 Lizzie Spencer, Christchurch, 1:25:48

Further information CLICK HERE

For complete results CLICK HERE

ENDS

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