Cadbury Dunedin Marathon Course Revisited

Yesterday I managed to complete the Cadbury Dunedin Marathon course for the second time having done it this time in 2014. I drove my car to Watson Park in Port Chalmers which is the end of the course. Denise picked me up and drove me to Harrington Point, the start of Dunedin's annual marathon.

I looked around for the start line which is close to Rapid Number 1008. I left the start just before 8am in ideal weather conditions. I did not feel I was walking at a great pace and took a while to get in the groove. I could not find the first 5 kms mark on the ground because of new asphalt and lots of other roads markings. I estimated it was around 50 mins. Likewise I could not find the 10kms mark at Portobello because of lots of cars and people. I remembered roughly where it was so timed myself at 1hr 38mins which was a pleasing time. I noticed far more cars on the first 10km leg as opposed to last year.

I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly Broad Bay came up and I did the 15kms at 2hrs 32mins. my feet were feeling tender and I was starting to regret my choice in shoes and socks. By the time I made Macandew Bay, I was starving so purchased a sausage roll, M/M's and cold water. I reached halfway in 3hrs 47 mins which is slow by my standard. Craig Currie met me just past the halfway mark to provide cold water and sugar jubes which was appreciated. A light breeze had popped up behind me which was nice to walk in.

It is always nice to reach 25kms because this indicates the finish of the Peninsula Road. The walk along Portsmouth Drive, Kitchener Street and Wickliffe Street was uneventful although my feet were hurting. Once again I could not find the 30km mark. I stopped at the Mobil Station on Anzac Avenue to buy a sandwich and water. Alas there were no sandwiches or pies. I reverted to chocolate.

I walked along the new SH 88 extension, past the stadium, down to the roads leading to the cycle track, a path I am very familiar with. There was a slight head breeze but nothing to worry about. I managed to find the 35km mark this time, just past Burkes and the time was 6hrs 33mins. I was feeling pleased that I only had 7kms to go and would do the walk under a slow 8hrs. Once I reached St Leonards it was only 5.5kms to the end. although my feet were sore I reached Watson Park in 7hrs 54mins 43 secs. Amazingly it was the same time as last year.

Cadbury Dunedin Marathon (2014)
Kms	Time	Mins
0
5
10	1:38	1:38
15	2:32	0:54
20	3:33	1:01
Half	3:45	0:12
25	4:32	0:59
30
35	6:33
40	7:30	0:57
Finish		7:54