Warrander Favourite Among Top Field at Lydiard Legend Marathon

New Zealand Olympian Dale Warrander has confirmed his attendance at the Lydiard Legend Marathon on Saturday 18th September.

Warrander, who is currently based on the Gold Coast and preparing for a marathon in Japan, used to train on the Waitakere hills every Sunday morning with a group of runners and said that it is going to be fun competing on the route in an official event.

Now in its sixth year the Lydiard Legend Marathon and Arthur’s Half Marathon has grown in numbers and prestige every year. Set over the Waiatrua route (through the Waitakere Ranges in West Auckland) made famous by Lydiard and his athletic protégées such as Peter Snell, Murray Halberg and Barry Magee, it is known as one of the toughest road marathons in the country. It is also the richest, paying out $25,000 in prize money.

This year is of extra special sentimental value to the New Zealand public as it falls on 50 years and 16 days after arguably New Zealand's greatest day at any Olympic Games. It was in Rome that two of ‘Arthurs boys’ ran to gold within 30 minutes of each other - Peter Snell in the 800 metres and Murray Halberg in the 5000 metres, completing a remarkable track double.

It is therefore a fitting tribute to have an Olympian on the start line this year in tribute to the coach that revolutionised the sport of running on a global level.

37-year-old Warrander is looking forwarded to the challenge and being part of his special race.
“Training has been going really well over here, the weather is just awesome for it, I’m looking forward to The Legend - I know the course well and it is tough but I can’t wait to give it a crack.”
It is Warrender’s debut in the Lydiard Legend Marathon and while he enters as the favourite, is likely to be pushed by Rotorua athlete Steven O’Callaghan. O’Callaghan is perhaps most well known from his sprint finish at the Rotoura Marathon in 2009, finishing second after his body gave out and he fell just meters from the line.

With the top three place-getters back again in the women’s field it is going to be a tight battle between Ady Ngawati, Debbie Fillery and Lesley Turner-Hall.

The Arthur’s Half Marathon has also attracted some top names in the sport. Including last year’s winner Sam Dobson, Wellingtonian Stefan Smith, top marathon runner Craig Kirkwood and a former pupil of Lydiard, Scott Winton.
This will be Winton’s third start at the Legend event, having won the Lydiard Legend Marathon in 2009 and placing second in the Arthurs Half Marathon in 2009. Winton tells the story of training with Lydiard over this course. He tributes Lydiard with teaching him some of the attributes that have taken him to the top of his sport.

Smith also trained following the Lydiard principles from a young age. Coached by his father (Wayne Smith of Napier) through college he was reaching 100 miles per week as a junior. Smith has won numerous senior men’s titles and is targeting his debut marathon next year.
The Legend was an idea conceived by Ian Winson after viewing a television documentary earlier in 2004, featuring a young athlete completing a run on the training route previously used by Mr Lydiard in the Waitakere Ranges.

It was first run in 2005 and has seen steady growth and support since then.
“We have been really pleased with the growth of the event” explains event organiser, Aaron Carter of total sport.

“We've got two absolutely fantastic courses, steeped in history and retracing the steps of Arthur Lydiard and his many protégés who trained religiously on this famous Waiatarua course on their journey to Olympic Gold.

“Obviously the interest is out there to take part in these types of events and we are pleased to be able to bring this special event to New Zealanders.”

Two other New Zealand sports stars will amoung the expected 600 people on the start line this year. League star Ruben Wiki is completing his first marathon while ex-cricketer come sports personality, Mark Richardson will be completing Arthurs Half Marathon.

Entries are open until Thursday 16th September at 6pm
More event information at: www.thelegend.co.nz