4700 do their dash - some of them dog-tired

PHIL REID/The Dominion Post

MASS MARATHON: With about 4700 people running in the event, organisers said it was the best turnout for several years.

PANT SUIT: A dogged Andrew Smith takes on cooling liquid. 'I was boiling hot in the dog suit.'

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Andrew Smith reckons he will need some "tender loving care" for the next few days after completing a marathon in a dog costume.

The Wellington fitness trainer, formerly from Yorkshire, ran his first marathon, raising about $1000 for the SPCA.

He "stumbled" across the line in four hours, 12 minutes then made his way to the pub. "I am sitting by the fire having a few pints to numb the pain. I will need some tender loving care, that's for sure.

"It was absolutely boiling hot in the costume, but I got used to it about halfway through and got into a nice groove. There was no chafing, luckily."

Runners and spectators in the Harbour Capital Marathon and 10km fun run reacted "brilliantly" to Mr Smith running the event in the costume. "There were some people in houses holding up their dogs and shouting out words of support. Others gave me high fives and when I ran past other competitors they said `Oh no'." An animal lover, he has been helping at the SPCA this year. He was cleaning dog cages when the marathon idea came to him. "I thought it would be fun, but there are no immediate plans to repeat it."

Last month a runner in Christchurch's SBS Marathon broke a Guinness world record for the fastest time by a contestant dressed as a superhero: 2 hours, 43 minutes, 35 seconds while dressed as Batman's young sidekick Robin.

Harbour Capital Marathon organiser Michael Jacques said about 4700 people competed in the event including 350 in the marathon. "Usually we get about 3800 people so this was a fantastic result."

Grant McLean won the men's event and Lotty Turnidge crossed the line first in the women's race.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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