For the second year running, a group of 50-odd locals teamed up to take on Nelson legend Rod Dixon’s iconic marathon time – and they did it with just a minute to spare.
The mass relay, called Racing Rod for Rānui, saw the runners each sprint a 240-metre leg around the same course as The Spectacle in Nelson city on Saturday.
Together, they clocked 2 hours, 7 minutes and 25 seconds, shaving 1 minute 34 seconds off Dixon’s stunning 1983 New York City Marathon winning time of 2 hours, 8 minutes and 59 seconds.
Organiser Conal Beban says the result highlights just how incredible Rod’s achievement was.
“We were sprinting for a short distance, to be able to do that pace by yourself for 42km is amazing,” Conal says.
The event raised more than $20,000 for Rānui House, a home-away-from-home for Nelson families who need to be in Christchurch for major medical treatment.
On average, 23 people from the Top of the South stay there every night.
Conal stayed at Rānui House himself several years ago while receiving a kidney transplant. “When you’re in there, you’re on a big journey and you’re focused on other stuff.
“It was about a year later when I reflected on the journey that I realised just how amazing that place was – it was more than just a place to sleep.”
The relay attracted a wide mix of participants, from Nelson Mayor Nick Smith to a local woman who is currently staying at Rānui House while undergoing cancer treatment.
“One of the reasons we came back is I love getting a group of people together to do something for someone else,” Conal says.
“That sense of satisfaction of doing it – you can’t buy that.”
He says the volunteers on each transition point and organisers of The Spectacle were amazing.
“From the first moment we spoke about it, Julian [Matthews,] has been thinking about how they can incorporate us in the event. They gave us our own lane this year, they’ve been amazing,” he concudes.
To donate to Rānui House visit bmct.org.nz
