More than 4000 competitors set to brave wet, chilly conditions for Christchurch Marathon

Friday, 31 May 2019

A huge crowd of hardy runners leave the Cathedral Square start line at last year's race.

More than 4000 runners will brave cold temperatures and take over the central city to run the first traditional Christchurch Marathon route since the earthquakes.

The 39th Christchurch Marathon will start and finish at the Town Hall on Sunday for the first time since 2010.

Last year's Christchurch Marathon's winner Australian Brett Ellis.

Motorists are being urged to avoid the CBD in the morning, with most roads closed from 5am to 2pm.

MetService was forecasting strong southwesterly winds for race time, with frequent showers and temperatures hovering around 5-6 degrees Celsius.

Road closures in Christchurch city on Sunday from 5-10am.

Road closures in Christchurch city on Sunday from 10am-2pm.

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Road closures in Christchurch city on Sunday from 4-5am and from 2-9pm.

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The showers were expected to move south to Banks Peninsula in the afternoon.

Race director Chris Cox hoped the front would pass through early, allowing for good weather.

'We're positive and hopeful,' he said. 'We're certainly excited to be in the Town Hall.'

He advised runners to wear a long-sleeved thermal and something over the top to keep the wind off.

There were four different races - the full marathon, half marathon, 10 kilometre run and the kids 1km Mara'Fun.

The races all kicked off at 8am outside the Town Hall while the Mara'Fun started at 12.30pm. The prizegiving will be held at 1.30pm at the Town Hall.

The full marathon race passes through Hagley Park, the Avon River and stretches to Burwood in the east.

A Christchurch City Council statement said most roads in the city centre would be closed from 5am until 2pm to stop vehicles crossing the marathon route.

Durham and Montreal Sts would reopen at 10am but most of the central city would only be accessible from the south between 5am and 2pm.

The council advised people to walk or cycle to, from and within the city centre rather than driving.

In the east of the city, New Brighton Rd westbound lane would be closed to allow runners through on the eastbound lane.

A full list of road closures is available at tfc.govt.nz.

This year's marathon will double as the New Zealand Marathon Championship.

Entries are still open - even though online entries closed on Friday, people can still enter in person at the Town Hall from 9am to 5pm on Saturday.