Wellington's Marathon Ramps Up

Wellington’s annual Harbour Capital Marathon has been a highlight on the Capital calendar for 25 years. But the announcement of a new major sponsorship sees it poised to become a major national event.

The Wellington Marathon Clinic has announced Armstrong Motor Group as the new principle sponsorship for the annual Harbour Capital Marathon. The new sponsorship will also come with a re-branding that will see the event now known as the “Armstrong Motor Group Wellington Marathon”.

Established in 1986 by the Wellington Marathon Clinic, the annual June event has been Wellington’s major marathon event for 25 years. In recent years it has become New Zealand’s fastest growing marathon event. In 2010 the 25th anniversary attracted 4826 runners and walkers from 12 countries, which made it the third biggest marathon event in New Zealand. But race director Sally Anderson says this new sponsorship could see the event become even bigger.

“The Armstrong Motor Group partnership is pretty exciting for us,” says Anderson. “It gives the event added security and a very stable base from which to do some long term planning. And because Armstrong Motor Group are a very successful national business, their involvement introduces the event to a far wider cross section of people.”

Catering for a wide cross section of people is the basis behind the success of the event to date. Along with the scenic and achievable course, they cater for runners and walkers of all age and ability. As well as the classic Armstrong Motor Group Marathon over the classic 42.2k distance, options include the Shoe Clinic Half Marathon, the adidas 10k and the Classic Hits Kids’ Magic Mile.

“The Wellington Marathon Clinic organises this event to promote fitness and running and walking,” says Anderson. “But people come from different fitness backgrounds and have different goals, so we provide something for everyone. Not everyone has the time or inclination to train for a marathon, but most people can achieve a half marathon or a 10k if they want to challenge themselves, and the Kids Magic Mile makes it a family occasion.”

It is this wide community appeal that has attracted the Armstrong partnership. “Armstrong Motor Group enjoys supporting local sporting events and we already have a strong association with major cycling events,” says Rick Armstrong.

Established in Christchurch in 1993, Armstrong Motor Group has been operating in Wellington since 2004. They now have 6 locations across Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, all of which are heavily involved in community events. In Christchurch they are the principle sponsor behind the Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling every December.

“When the opportunity came up to sponsor the Wellington Marathon I thought it was a great fit for our brand,” says Rick Armstrong. “We like to support events that give a large number of people the opportunity to participate. Events that cater for everyone and encourage our community to be healthy and active, without having to be an elite athlete to enter.”

Armstrong Motor Group has signed on for five years, which Sally Anderson says allows the event to think bigger. “Right now we’re one of Wellington’s premier events,” says Anderson. “But we want to the Armstrong Motor Group Wellington Marathon to be one of New Zealand’s premier events.”

The 2011 Armstrong Motor Group Wellington Marathon is scheduled for Sunday June 19. For further details see: www.wellingtonmarathon.org.nz.