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Jones Confirms Marathon Status with Hawke's Bay Win

Jones Confirms Marathon Status with Hawke's Bay Win While Ultra-Runner Flori Takes Women's Title


18 May 2019

For immediate releasee from the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon, for more visitwww.hawkesbaymarathon.co.nz

JONES MARATHON STOCKS CONTINUE TO RISE WITH WIN IN HAWKE’S BAY WHILE ULTRA-RUNNER FLORI TAKES OUT THE WOMEN’S RACE

Daniel Jones continued his rise in the marathon running world with a win in the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon today, adding to his win in the 2018 Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon.

The Wellington athlete was made to work hard for his win though, with Nick Johnston (Fielding) leading through the halfway mark and refusing to be passed easily, with Jones only easing clear in the final 5km to win in 2:27:33, less than two minutes ahead of Johnston.

“I was running with Nick and another guy for the first 10 or 15k and then slowly started closing the gap, but it took longer than I expected, Nick held me off for quite a while and looked really fresh when I caught him,” said Jones.

“Once again Hawke’s Bay turned it on for everyone, it didn’t take long for the heat of the sun to come out and once you are running along on those stop banks, it was pristine today. The course is beautiful, you have a bit of everything, following the coastline, over some bridges and rivers – and really awesome support toward the end with all the people coming out.”

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In the women’s race it was neck and neck to the halfway point with defending champion Sabina Piras (Auckland/USA) and Cecilia Flori (Hamilton/Italy) running side by side throughout most of the opening 20km.

Flori used her superior ultra-running strength though to pull clear with just over 10km to go, to take line honours in 2:51:06, with Piras coming in a further 3:44 behind in second, while Fiona Love was third in 3:00:02.

Flori arrived in New Zealand in 2016 and has quickly established a name for herself on the ultra-running circuit and now over the marathon distance, and just quietly might fancy herself in a quiz team, as she enjoyed the Air NZ Quiz questions posted over the final few kilometres of the event.

“I felt pretty good the whole way, it is a really nice course, so nice. I loved the fact you had all those questions on the course, it distracted from the pain – I knew all the running questions! I really love the off-road aspect of the course; it is really different as I am used to mountains.

“Conditions were good, it was a little cold in the morning, but otherwise good running conditions. This was a bit of a training run for me, I have a 160km race in June!”

Piras was gracious in defeat on a day that saw her run almost 20 minutes quicker than her win in 2018.

“Cecilia is a really strong runner, I ran against her about a month ago and she is such a monster, so strong. I really appreciate running against her and having that rivalry, especially as New Zealand is such a small country.

“The conditions were beautiful, it was a little cold this morning and the wind wasn’t too bad but that was so enjoyable, it is the second year I have run.”

The New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Half Marathon was the busiest of all event son the day, with over 3,000 lining up at the start line opposite Splash Palace in Hastings, making their way towards the Tuki Tuki River and then along the coastline to the finish.

Jack Moody was fleet of foot in the men’s race, the Aucklander winning in a fast time of 1:07:21 from off-road triathlete Olly Shaw (Rotorua) and Max Spencer (Masterton).

The women’s race was won by Sarah Gardner (Tauranga), in the process posting a career best time of 1:18:43, to win by 31 seconds from Giselle Slotboom (USA) and Debbie Donald (Featherston).

The Cigna 10k honours went to Ted Taylor (Wellington) in 36:32, from William Leong (Palmerston North) and William Twiss (Wanganui) while in the women’s it was Laura Smidt (Blenheim) first in 39:20 ahead of Caroline Meo (Napier) and Cate Pedersen (Napier).

The day dawned a chilly one degrees with a frost on the ground, but the promise of beautifully blue clear skies and little or no wind on a picture perfect Autumn Hawke’s Bay day, as a record six thousand participants set off in the Cigna 10km, New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Half Marathon and the Air New Zealand Marathon, all converging on the finish line at Elephant Hill Estate and Winery on the Te Awanga Coast.

Race Director Adam McDonald was delighted with the response to the new courses and finish line venue.

“This is essentially like delivering a year one event, with three new and unique courses giving everyone a different experience in a stunning part of the world, all converging on a world class finish venue at Elephant Hill Winery.

“The feedback at the finish line has been hugely supportive of those courses and the experience, capped off by a suitably brilliant day of weather here in Hawke’s Bay. It was a little chilly this morning, but quickly turned into a perfect running day.”

BARRETT INSPIRES ON NEW PROSTHETIC LEGS

Amongst those to enjoy their day was the inspirational Korrin Barrett, the Havelock North motivational speaker took to the Cigna 10km event, in the process walking the furthest she has yet on her new prosthetics, following osseointegration surgery to enhance the prosthetics in both her legs in 2016.

Barrett is these days a motivational speaker and inspiring to all who meet her, as she takes life head-on after amputations to all four limbs after falling ill with sepsis in 2012. She showed her wonderful sense of humour as she crossed the line at Elephant Hill.

“I was determined to do it; I brought the wheelchair just in case something happened, or I broke a leg or something! I didn’t need it though, so I am really proud of myself for doing the whole 10k, I will feel it tomorrow, but I am proud I have done it and had all these amazing people.

“There was the odd hill that got a little slippery, but I had a few of the girls by my side to help me walk down, it is an amazing place to walk though, you can’t beat Hawke’s Bay. I am definitely going to do it next year and a couple of the girls have asked if I will do the IRONMAORI quarter in November, so we will see about that.”

Barrett is looking to use her journey to inspire others in similar situations, to believe in themselves and work towards their goals.

“This is to show that if you put your mind to it, you can do it. I am lucky and grateful to have amazing support around me to help me do it. I hope others in the community sees this and enters next year and I can walk with them as well.

“I am off for a wine now, and maybe a massage!”

The record field of over 6,000 enjoyed the post event wine and food festival in perfect conditions, with the sun beaming down and the local product going down a treat, with Elephant Hill proving to be a sensational finish line venue as all three new courses converged on the award-winning winery.

Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon
Saturday May 18, 2019
www.hawkesbaymarathon.co.nz
Results

Air New Zealand Marathon
Men
1 Daniel Jones, Wellington, 2:27:33
2 Nick Johnston, Fielding, 2:29:14
3 Dion O’Neale, Auckland, 2:37:40

Women
1 Cecilia Flori, Hamilton, 2:51:06
2 Sabina Piras, Auckland, 2:54:50
3 Fiona Love, Auckland, 3:00:02

New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Half Marathon
Men
1 Jack Moody, Auckland, 1:07:16
2 Olly Shaw, Rotorua, 1:11:14
3 Max Spencer, Masterton, 1:12:36

Women
1 Sarah Gardner, Tauranga, 1:18:36
2 Giselle Slotboom, Salt Lake City, USA, 1:19:06
3 Debbie Donald, Featherston, 1:22:59

Cigna 10km
Men
1 Ted Taylor, Wellington, 36:32
2 William Leong, Palmerston North, 37:05
3 William Twiss, Wanganui, 37:26

Women
1 Laura Smidt, Blenheim, 39:20
2 Caroline Meo, Napier, 40:36
3 Cate Pedersen, Napier, 42:18

Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon By the Numbers

• Over 6,000 participants on race day

o The Air NZ Marathon field has increased by 29%
o
o The New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Half Marathon has increased by 55%
o
o The Cigna 10km has increased by 42%
o
• 76% of participants from out of Hawke’s Bay region (well in excess of 4,000)

• Participation:

o 66% female / 34% male
o
o Youngest competitor aged 5yrs, oldest competitor 88yrs (Victor Smith)
o
o Average age 39 yrs.

• Air New Zealand will operate an additional 14 one-way services to and from Hawke’s Bay before and after the event.

• 4,518L of PURE Sports Nutrition electrolytes hydration

• 20kgs of jet planes

• 5,000 Bananas

• 1.6km of fencing

• 64.9km of course

• 500 volunteers

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