4 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 images attached, credit: Air NZ Hawke’s Bay International
Marathon
FAST-FOOD MAKES WAY FOR FAST-FEET AS ROTORUA MUM TURNS LIFE
AROUND
When Alison King moved to New Zealand in 2003, she would never have imagined
that 13 years later she would have completed four Ironman races in Taupo, 11
marathons, roughly 15 half marathons and five half Ironman races.
The Rotorua mother has turned her life around, and just 14 days after competing at
the Rotorua Marathon this amazing woman will be on the start line at the inaugural
Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon on Saturday 14 th May.
“I moved here from the UK in 2003 and I was pretty lazy. I would eat fast food for all
my meals really and then I decided that wasn’t a good way to be so I joined Weight
Watchers. That led me to going to Aqua Aerobics, which then led me to wonder if I
could swim a length of a 25 metre pool, which at the time I couldn’t.”
King heard about the Special K triathlon’s and she saw some photos of women who
were larger than her and she thought if they could do a triathlon, then she could. A
year later, she completed her first Ironman race in Taupo.
“It was only because running is at the end of a triathlon that I decided to get into it
properly. I have a four-year-old son and after he was born, running was the easiest
thing to get back into. I just love it.”
Running has indeed become a big part of King’s life. She is now a registered running
coach with Athletics New Zealand and she’s also an accredited coach through
Athletics Australia.
“I have also done a personal training qualification too. That was something that I
wanted to do six years ago, but I didn’t think I would be able to because I didn’t look
like the stereotypical personal trainer. I’ve changed my whole way of thinking and
have come to realise that it doesn’t matter what you look like, just as long as you are
a good role model and exercising and eating well.”
Managing Director of event organisers Ironman Oceania Dave Beeche indeed says
that King is an example of someone not only taking on a challenge, but impacting on
their personal health and wellbeing through participation in events such as the Air
New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon.
“These are the stories that excite us and motivate us to ensure we are on top of our
game and putting on the best possible event in the best surroundings. Alison’s story
reminds us that each and every participant will have their ‘back story’ as to why they
are on the start line, we want each and every one of those experiences to be
memorable ones and will applaud everyone to the finish line as if they are the first
home.”
King has only just competed in the Rotorua Marathon in late April and so has
effectively completed her training for the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International
Marathon, with essentially just small maintenance work required before race day.
King had been helping out four runners from the Lake City Athletic Club in Rotorua in
the build-up to last week’s marathon but says Hawke’s Bay will be different.
“We had three ‘marathon virgins’ and the goal was to help them out and we had a
100% success rate. I ran with one of the groups for the whole way and it was
actually quite good as we helped each other out. However, in Hawke’s Bay I will be
doing it all on my own. I know quite a few people who will be doing it, but this one is
all about doing it myself and seeing how I go this time.”
She took part in the first ever Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon,
so King was excited to hear another one was being put on in the North Island.
“The organisers put on a great event in Queenstown and this is another chance to do
another amazing race in a beautiful location in the Hawke’s Bay, which isn’t too far
away.”
King will indeed delight in the surroundings throughout the event, with the course
winding its way through wineries, orchards and the Hawke’s Bay countryside on
smooth off-road trails before finishing in the surrounds of a wine and food festival at
the stunning Sileni Estates Winery, where the best of the region will be on hand to
help competitors and supporters celebrate their own remarkable achievements.
Registrations have sky rocketed for the first edition of the Air New Zealand Hawke’s
Bay International Marathon which will take place in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay.
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
For further information, contact:
Andrew Dewhurst
Media Manager
Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay Marathon
+64 (0) 21 535501
Allison King
Inspirational Marathon Runner
021 034 6021
Vicky Roebuck
Communications Manager / Hawke's Bay Tourism
+64 (0) 27 495 4656
About IRONMAN
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