26 April 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
INCREDIBLE RESPONSE TO INAUGURAL AIR NEW ZEALAND
INTERNATIONAL HAWKE’S BAY MARATHON
The inaugural Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon has smashed
all predictions with all race categories selling out with almost 5,000 competitors
signing up to be a part of what already looks set to become an iconic event on the
running and social calendar, one that is as much about where the athletes are
running as it is how far.
The weekend of May 14/15 this year will see those participants and an expected
further 7,500 supporters and friends descend upon Napier for the first hosting of an
event that also features a wine and food festival in the surrounds of the finish line at
the stunning Sileni Estates Winery.
Athletes will take part in a variety of events including the Kids Run, AIA 10km Run,
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Half Marathon and the full Air New
Zealand Hawke’s Bay Marathon. All events are on Saturday May 14, allowing time to
relax and explore the wider region on the Sunday.
The event is run by IRONMAN Oceania (formerly Lagardere Oceania) who also
deliver the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon amongst seven
high profile sporting events in New Zealand.
IRONMAN Oceania Managing Director Dave Beeche says the response to the
launch of this exciting event has been off the charts.
“There is no doubt that the excitement around the very first Air New Zealand
Hawke’s Bay Marathon is down to the destination itself, with the event set to wind its
way through wineries, bike trails, orchards and olive groves, all on beautiful hard
packed trails that make the running easier on the feet just as the views and
surrounds will be easy on the eye and mind.
“The finish line at Sileni Estates Winery is then something else and truly a great way
to approach the end of the event. The competitors will wind their way up the amazing
entrance to Sileni, running into an amazing food and wine festival that shows off the
best of the region for both supporters and the competitors themselves who I’m sure
will have earned a glass or two of the world class wine that is produced in Hawke’s
Bay.”
Air New Zealand Chief Sales and Commercial Officer Cam Wallace says it’s great to
see so many people travelling to Hawke’s Bay for the event, with 76 percent of
entries coming from out of the region and 240 entrants coming from overseas.
“Air New Zealand is proud to be the naming rights sponsor of the Hawke’s Bay
Marathon and help to attract runners and supporters to the region.”
Perhaps in another nod to the destination is the fact that 65% of the entrants are
female, suggesting that the prospect of great food, wine and a weekend away is
attracting women to the event as they ponder both the achievement of taking part,
and the rewards on offer once crossing the line - not that the delights of the region
are specific to one gender over the other.
Hawke’s Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas is thrilled at the popularity of
the inaugural event.
“The Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay Marathon will deliver a tremendous boost to the
local tourism industry in terms of visitor nights and visitor spend. With participants
and their supporters, we will see a huge number of visitors and we are delighted that
the appeal of our great climate, the amazing course scenery and endless food and
wine options have attracted them to run the marathon and spend some quality time
in Hawke’s Bay.”
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
Vicky Roebuck
Communications Manager / Hawke's Bay Tourism
+64 (0) 27 495 4656
Air New Zealand Public Affairs
+64 (0) 21 747 320
About IRONMAN
A Wanda Sports Holdings company, IRONMAN operates a global portfolio of events that includes the
IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, Iron Girl®,
IRONKIDS®, six of nine International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series races, road cycling events
including the UCI Velothon Majors Series, mountain bike races, premier marathons and other multisport
races. IRONMAN’s events, together with all other Wanda Sports Holdings events, provide more than
680,000 participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings.
The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since
the inception of the IRONMAN® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE®
by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Beginning as a single race,
IRONMAN has grown to become a global sensation with more than 260 events across 42 countries.
For more information, visit www.ironman.com.