Marathon Inspires Local Man to Turn His Life Around

Hawke’s Bay Marathon Inspires Local Man to Turn His Life Around

At aged 34, Nicholas Magdalinos weighed 116 kilograms and was on a fast track to significant health issues. He’s still 34, but Nic is now an amazing 27 kilograms lighter after turning his life around and the only fast track he is on is one to a brighter future and improved health and wellbeing.

The Hawke’s Bay resident and managing director of an architecture firm in Napier will be taking part in his first ever full marathon at the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon on Saturday 14th May.

Magdalinos decided it was time to do something about his weight when he saw a photo of himself last year.

“I was at a black tie function last year and with a bow tie on, you can’t really hide your stomach. I saw a picture of myself from that evening and I thought something seriously needs to be done here. So I threw myself into the deep end with a bit of running and healthy eating and here I am.”

He admits he has always been interested in sports and fitness, but he’s now changed his whole lifestyle.

“I’ve made a complete switch. For me, it’s all about running and my eating. From the 1st of August until October last year I had lost 20 kilograms and now I have lost about 27 kilograms, so that’s a pretty good start I guess.”

Managing Director of event organisers Ironman Oceania Dave Beeche, says stories like Nic’s can inspire plenty of others to make similar changes to their lifestyles.

“Nic’s story is an inspiring one, and we are delighted that our event can be the catalyst for this sort of change. Many of our competitors across all of our events have their own special ‘back story’ and for many that is celebrating the overcoming of a health or personal obstacle.

“In this case - and there are others like Nic, he is actually using the running of the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon to get that process started and the event itself will be a huge challenge. But I am sure that this will just be the start of a better life for Nic and who knows, it might be the first but maybe not the last time we will hear of Nic on the start list of a marathon.”

Aside from the obvious motivation that such a challenge can provide, Magdalinos is looking forward to doing the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon because it is on his own backyard.

“The Hawke’s Bay is a fantastic place and I am a huge advocate of the area. Getting behind the inaugural Hawke’s Bay marathon was definitely something I was quite keen to do. Although, I didn’t envisage myself doing the full marathon. I guess one thing led to another and I just kept training and by the time I came around to entering the race I thought ‘well I have already done a few half marathons so I may as well risk a little bit more and jump into bed with the full distance’.”

The 34-year old’s training has been going well and he will be doing the event with the man who has been responsible for keeping him on track, his trainer Brandon Campbell – who himself will be just as nervous as Nic about the 42km distance!

“Brandon is a personal trainer so it will also be interesting to see how he goes in his first ever full marathon as well. 80% of my work is based out of the Hawke’s Bay so I have to travel a lot. I have a relatively large firm in the Bay, with about 20 staff and then I work with offices throughout the country as well. It has been a bit of a juggling act, trying to fit in enough training with work. It’s been a bit mad and it’s daunting to think it’s only next weekend, but I’m really looking forward to the day.”

Registrations have sky rocketed for the first edition of the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon which will take place in Napier. Almost 5,000 competitors have signed up for the event which includes four different races – the Air New Zealand Full Marathon, the NZ Sotheby’s Realty Half Marathon, the AIA 10km Run and the Kids 3km Run. The event also features a wine and food festival in the surrounds of the finish line at Sileni Estates Winery.


Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon – by the numbers

Total entries 4,950 (as at Tuesday 26 April)

Entries:
• Air New Zealand Full Marathon: 940 registered
• New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Half Marathon: 2,520 registered
• AIA 10km Run: 1,400 registered
• Kids 3km Run: 90 registered **
** Entries accepted at Athlete Check-in on Friday 13th May

Demographics
• Male – 35%, Female 65%
• Average Age 41 years
• Youngest – 5 years
• Oldest – 80 years

Location
• NZL – 4695 (95%)
• International – 240 (5%), Australia biggest market at 139 (58%), China 25 (10%), Hong Kong 13 (5%)
• Local Hawke’s Bay – 1144 (24%)
• Out of region – 3551 (76%), Biggest markets Auckland 1429 (40%), Wellington 1137 (32%), Bay of Plenty 305 (9%)

ENDS

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