80-year-old woman completes 11th half-marathon, before going home to mow the lawns

Sunday, 16 April 2023

About 4000 competitors turned up to the event, which was back after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19.

While most of us were in bed, 80-year-old Beverley Buist power-walked her 11th half-marathon – then went home to mow the lawns.

Buist, who is understood to be the oldest entrant, joined about 4000 competitors enthusiastic to see the 41st Frontrunner Christchurch Marathon back after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Not one to rest on her laurels, the sprightly grandmother completed the course in three hours and 22 minutes, then went home to mow the lawns before seeing her grandchildren later in the day.

“It pays to keep moving,” she said.

Alexandra’s Dan Balchin was the winner of the 2023 Christchurch Marathon.

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Masterton’s Debbie Donald scored a 10min personal best and her first national title.

Buist began doing half-marathons at the age of 69 and has competed at Queenstown, Lake Hood and Blenheim, as well as Christchurch.

This year's course marked a route change that proved popular with the runners in near-perfect clear, dry conditions after a windy night.

Starting at Hagley Park near the Armagh St entrance, the race centred on a 10km lap close to the CBD where competitors could pass iconic landmarks.

Runners set off at the 41st Christchurch Marathon on Sunday morning.

The new route saw the eradication of 'tiring redzones' according to organisers and offered more spectator opportunities.

Alexandra’s Daniel Balchin, 32, claimed the top spot and defending his 2022 national championship title, running the 42.2km distance in 2hrs, 20min, followed by Auckland’s Jono Wilkins at 2hrs, 31min.

Ian Lennie is ready to lace up his running shoes for the Christchurch Marathon for the 38th time. (First published 10/04/2023)

Masterton’s Debbie Donald, 36, was the fastest female, scoring a 10-minute personal best and her first national title when she finished the race in 2hrs, 44min, with Kelly Parlane not far behind at 2hrs, 45min.

The event has faced challenges over the past three years with cancellations due to the pandemic, and wet, cold weather testing runners in 2019.

Race director Chris Cox said organisers wanted the event to be 'much less of a race, and much more of a festival of fitness'.

The course was expected to produce faster times due to it being flatter than previous years.

The changes in this year's marathon were part of a move to make the event easier to organise and to give spectators closer access to the action.

This year's event also focused on mental health, with competitors encouraged to make their run more meaningful by signing up to fundraise for Canterbury's mental health and support services.

The original course, which headed towards Christchurch Airport, followed the 1971 Commonwealth Games marathon course.

Cox took over the Christchurch Marathon in 1999 and brought the event close to the city. It is one of the fastest races in the southern hemisphere due to its flat course.

Buist said she found the new course route 'lovely' and praised the 200 volunteers who supported competitors all the way round.

'We couldn't do it without them.'

For a full list of winners, visit results.timingsports.com