By Jeff McTainsh
There was a record turn out today for the annual Auckland Marathon, with more than 13,000 taking part.
For one Auckland man, it was the 17th time he has run the Auckland Marathon.
Richard Were, 54, says the race has become part of his annual running schedule.
“I always do it, I’ve done it basically every year it's just on the calendar,” he says.
The 54-year-old has run marathons all around the world and today’s was number 145.
The drink stations were soon running overtime as the field pushed through the first part of the run on the North Shore.
Around 13 kilometres into the run, racers were treated to the highlight of the event – running across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
The 33 metre elevation proved a hard slog for many runners, the downward slope a welcome relief as they made their way into the city.
In the end, no one could catch Cantabrian Rowan Hooper.
The 31-year-old finishing first in just over two and a half hours - to win his first Auckland Marathon.
“It's always nice to come up north, there's a bit of North Island/South Island rivalry so it's always nice to come up here and do a bit of damage,” he says.
Tauranga's Jess Ruth was the first woman home, finishing the journey hand-in-hand with husband Ben - last year's overall winner.
“He ran with me and let me win this year which was lovely, we've just had a baby and he was doing most of the night feeding so he's let me come through and have a go this year,” she says.
For many the race took its toll and after just over three hours of toiling, Mr Were entered the home straight - finishing his 17th Auckland Marathon.
“I'm just glad to get here, you know from the waist up I feel fine, I feel fresh, it's just that my legs are shot,” he says.
Mr Were is now planning some well deserved rest and relaxation, but at the same time he is planning his next big run in the South Island in February.
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