Auckland Marathon Three-Peat on the Cards for Daniel Jones

Two-time Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon champion Daniel Jones will line up as the favourite to take out the title again in the men’s elite race this Sunday, 30 October 2022.

The Wellington Scottish athlete could secure a historic Auckland Marathon three-peat if he takes the tape, with no athlete in the history of the event winning the 42.2km race three years in a row.

Jones has won the previous two editions and said he’s feeling ready for another shot at the title – though he isn’t necessarily concerned about the record.

“Leading into the final week, I'm feeling fit, the body is holding together and trying to stave off the usual niggles that come from pushing things to the limit in a marathon training block. I've just begun my taper so it will be nice to freshen up,” said Jones.

“You've got to back yourself. I actually have no idea who is racing this year but sometimes it's better like that, by just showing up to the start line and when the gun goes off, you're racing your competitors but also racing yourself. In the end the marathon is a different beast, you can only do what you can do on the day.

“I just take each event as it comes, each big race I compete in is a goal in itself. There was no goal to win three Auckland marathon events in a row, but it would be a nice bonus,” he said.

Jones has already had a successful year, winning the Kepler Challenge and 2021 Auckland Marathon in January before heading overseas to experience ultramarathon racing in the United States and Poland.

Over the New Zealand winter he has been building toward the summer season of racing, which he will kickstart at the Auckland Marathon – a race he is fond of and one he said suits his style.

“I'm not particularly fast at shorter distance events. The Auckland course suits me as the rolling undulations in Devonport and the big hill over the bridge help take the sting out of the legs of the faster runners. You have to rely on strength and mental toughness to punch it home towards Victoria Park on the back half of the course.

“I love the atmosphere of a big city marathon. It's pretty unique starting on the North Shore and finishing up in the CBD. The crowd support lifts you up when you think you've had enough,” said Jones.

Jones will face strong competition from Otago’s Daniel Balchin, the 2022 New Zealand Marathon Champion. On a flat course designed for fast times, Balchin recorded 2:15:55 for the fastest marathon time by a Kiwi in New Zealand for 25 years.

Though an experienced middle-distance runner, previously finishing third at the 2019 Auckland Half Marathon, the championship race was Balchin’s marathon debut.

“I’ve been playing the running game for a while now and have only just entered the marathoning scene. I’m still a novice to the distance with plenty to learn. Competing over the distance is a new challenge keeping things spicy and providing renewed motivation in training,” said Balchin.

The 32-year-old said he’s excited to test himself at the Auckland Marathon but knows success won’t come easily.

“I want to execute a good race and run to what I think is my potential, avoiding any show stopping ‘walls’ during the race,” he said. “This is the most prestigious marathon race in the country and getting this title does not come easy. It will be a notable title to add to the repertoire.

“Crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge on foot is a unique experience and running on the roads in the centre of the country’s biggest city is awesome. The event has a great atmosphere and there’s a lot of support out there on the course,” said Balchin.

For the first time since 2019, the Auckland Marathon will welcome international athletes back to the event after border restrictions were lifted earlier this year.

Australian Wayne Spies has had the Auckland Marathon on his radar for a while but was unable to race in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 50-year-old Queenslander trains with Isaias Beyn, winner of the 2019 Auckland Marathon, who has been a useful resource in learning what to expect from the course.

“What I enjoy most is hill running and I’ve heard that coming out of Devonport is undulating, this would make for an awesome challenge and my hope is to have a controlled run with a strong finish,” said Spies.

So far this year, Spies has secured victories at the Runaway Noosa Marathon, Brisbane Marathon, and Tasmania’s Cadbury Marathon.

“I’ve had an incredible year to date and I’m still pinching myself. My year has had a progressive build after several victories and an awesome 2:25 at the Gold Coast Marathon,” he said. “It would absolutely mean so much to finish on the podium at the Auckland Marathon, which would cap off what’s been an outstanding year.”

The 2022 Auckland Half Marathon is headlined by Rotorua’s Michael Voss. The 25-year-old took out the 2021 title earlier this year and is aiming to add another to his name.

“I’m looking forward to running in the half marathon again this year. I am excited to try and defend my title, but Auckland always gets a good field, so it’ll be a hard task to pull off,” said Voss. “I am confident as I feel the course suits me well. The hills coming out of Devonport, and then over the bridge play to my strengths. I do a lot of my training running the hills in the forest in Rotorua, so hopefully that pays off.”

Voss has had a successful year, starting with the win in Auckland in January and going on to add the Hawke’s Bay Marathon and Rotorua Marathon titles, as well as setting a new personal best time in July’s Gold Coast Marathon.

“I have had a good year this year,” he said. “I race my best when I just enjoy it, and don’t put too much pressure on myself. If I stick to my plan, race smart, and enjoy it, I’d be happy with that.

“Auckland always attracts a good competitive field, so it’s cool lining up and getting pushed. The course is tough, and it’s fun running over the bridge. The vibe at the finish line is a highlight as well,” said Voss.

Voss will line up against a strong domestic field featuring former Auckland Half Marathon podium-getters Christopher Dryden, Jacob Priddey, and Casey Thorby, as well as track star Julian Oakley, winner of the half marathon at the 2022 Reboot Marathon on his 21.1km debut.

Runners in the 2022 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon will start at 6am on Sunday, with the half marathon runners beginning their race at 6.50am.

Wheelchair Marathon racing will get underway at 5.55am. Australian Michael Taylor, a former winner of the New York Marathon, will return to the Auckland Marathon with the aim of regaining the title he won in 2019. Fellow Australians Jason McGregor and Kevin Gaidies will also race, alongside Kiwis Ian Walker and Ian Winson.

New Zealander Tiffiney Perry will race once again in the women’s hand cycle division having placed second overall from 2019-2021. Australian Natasha Price will return to the event again after winning the 2019 edition.