Running late for a meeting

KENT BLECHYNDEN/Dominion Post

JACKET AND STRIDES: Nick Wyatt decided to run Wellington's Harbour Capital Marathon in a suit - he was one of 3686 entrants this year.

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They say you have to be half crazy to run a marathon, so Nick Wyatt just ran the half-marathon yesterday - but he did it in a suit.

Wyatt was one of 3686 entrants in Wellington's Harbour Capital Marathon, which included marathon, half-marathon, 10km, walk and kids' races. He finished 213th in the men's half-marathon in 1h 39m 29s - 25 minutes behind winner Stephen Smith of Palmerston North.

Mr Wyatt, 55, from Roseneath, said of his suit: "I needed something warmer and because I work for the government I'm completely lacking in imagination or enterprise so that's what I wore.

"It did chafe. It was comfortable until it rained." The running gag, he said, was `Are you running late for a meeting?'

The poor weather did not deter many, race organiser Michael Jacques said.

Wainuiomata rubbish collector and distance running junkie Michael Stewart finished his 440th marathon in 4h 18m 22s, behind Grant McLean, who won his fourth consecutive title.

- © Fairfax NZ News