12 May 2016
For immediate release on behalf of the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon, for
further information visit www.hawkesbaymarathon.co.nz
Free to use editorial image of Rachel Smalley with coach Gaz Brown attached, credit: Air NZ Hawke’s
Bay International Marathon.
CHEF, RADIO JOURNALIST, TV PRESENTER AND RADIO NEWSREADER SET FOR HAWKE’S BAY
MARATHON
Amongst the nearly 5000 participants at this weekend’s Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International
Marathon will be four names more familiar than most, with celebrity chef Josh Emmet, radio and
television personalities Rachel Smalley and Laura McGoldrick and NZME newsreader Niva Retimanu
amongst those lining up for the inaugural event.
McGoldrick will take on the AIA 10km event as she prepares for a tilt at the Air New Zealand
Queenstown International marathon in November (running the half), Emmet will take time out from
his restaurant businesses to run the NZ Sotheby’s Half Marathon as will Reitmanu and Smalley will
tackle the full Air New Zealand Marathon. All are united in one thing beyond the actual running –
they love the Hawke’s Bay and can’t wait to enjoy all it has to offer.
It is not the first marathon for Smalley, but the former TV3 presenter of and host of daily morning
news show Early Edition on Newstalk ZB is looking to complete the 42km distance for the first time
at home.
“I love Hawke’s Bay and this is the inaugural race so it was the obvious choice to make Hawke’s Bay
my first New Zealand marathon. It’s a lovely part of the country and it’s even better knowing that
once the race is over, there will be a nice bottle of Syrah waiting for me at the end.
“I ran my first marathon in Beirut in November last year. It was part of the fundraising work I was
doing with World Vision’s Forgotten Millions campaign for Syrian refugees. I had six months to train
and I had no idea how I was going to juggle my early morning radio programme, my family, a hectic
training regime and my charity work so I asked Gaz Brown at Get Running to help me.”
Indeed this is where the four media and culinary friends enjoy some commonality, with all trained by
Gaz Brown at Get Running as they prepare for Saturday. Smalley says his advice has been invaluable.
“Gaz had to design a programme that would work around my 2.30am alarm clock. I host a show on
NewstalkZB between 5-6am and I often limp by on 4-5 hours’ sleep a night. Gaz urged me to get
more sleep, looked at my nutrition and made sure I upped my hydration too. Somehow, between
the two of us and the clever team of physios, sports masseuses and podiatrists at Sportslab, I
managed to arrive in Beirut ready to run.
“I know Hawke’s Bay will throw a few challenges at me because this time I’ll be running on my own
(Rachel ran with others in Beirut). I need to make sure I get my pacing, my nutrition and my
hydration right. If I muck it up, I know I’ll find myself in a world of pain around the 32km mark. Gaz
has talked me through how to approach the race, how to pace myself and how to run to heart rate. I
have been known to over-cook it a little at the start, but I really just want to enjoy this marathon and
have a great weekend.
“I’m travelling with a group of people from Get Running and Gaz has put together a brilliant tour.
There will be a marquee at the finish line and then later that night we’re having a special celebration
dinner (prepared by Emmet). The next day we’ll be visiting some of the wineries and enjoying some
of the great food that Hawke’s Bay has to offer. Two nights isn’t long enough. Next year I might
lobby Gaz to stay for a week!
“My friend Niva Retimanu is here with me too. She’s just written a book about her journey to
becoming a marathon runner. She’s doing the half in Hawke’s Bay but she told me that as soon as
she’s finished, she’s going to put on a fancy dress costume and wait for me at the finish line. I have
no idea what she’ll be dressed in. I dread to think. I’ve seen her dressed up as a chicken, a nun, a
carrot and a beer bottle. If you see a Samoan woman dressed in a crazy outfit, go and introduce
yourself. That will be Niva and she loves to talk. Honestly, the more friends she has the happier she
is.”
A former judge on Master Chef, author of many books and the man behind the likes of award
winning restaurants Madam Woo and Rata, Emmet is also a passionate runner, and with family ties
to Hawke’s Bay, taking part this weekend was an easy decision.
“My wife Helen’s sister married a farmer from Hawke’s Bay so we are often down there and in fact
love any excuse to do so, with the great food, produce and restaurants that are on offer. We eat out
as much as we can if we are not cooking what we catch on the farm, rabbits, venison and all that
sort of thing.
“I have run a few marathons before, including New York and Queenstown, but choosing the half on
this occasion is perfect, allowing me time to train in amongst time with family and business. I am
told the scenery on course will be amazing so really looking forward to getting out on the course. It
really helps when you have something to look at, anything to take your mind off the running at
times!
“My goal is always just generally staying fit and running is a great way of doing this. Being a chef part
of my job is to do a fair amount of eating, tasting and menu development so I need something to
keep that in check. My goal would be to run under 1-45 for the half, hopefully I have done enough
training,” said Emmet.
McGoldrick is perhaps the ‘rookie’ of the four, as she continues her preparation towards the long
term goal of running in Queenstown later this year by taking on the AIA 10km race on Saturday.
“I love Hawke’s Bay and a goal of mine this year was to take part in a running event,” said the
popular Sky Sport host. “As I've just started running, the 10km race is perfect for someone like
me! I haven't run any events before, but I've always admired people with the drive to train and
complete running them.
“My goal really is just to finish comfortably and perhaps in an hour or less, I'm hoping the sense of
achievement when I complete the race will be reward in itself - and celebrating with a nice glass of
wine!!
“I've been so lucky to have Gaz from Get Running, helping to cater a running programme to suit me
and my level of fitness. Also having to check in with someone, be accountable and chat through my
times and strategy have been such a bonus! I'm hoping that I can build from this race up to the half
marathon in Queenstown later this year.”
ENDS
Event Information and Schedule CLICK HERE
Spectator Viewing Map CLICK HERE
Event Day Road Closures CLICK HERE
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%)
For race day information (including photographer/media access) and interviews with Ironman
Oceania Managing Director Dave Beeche:
Michelle Pepper
Marketing Director
Ironman Oceania
[email protected]
021 359 056
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