Enjoy the fit company in Sunday's marathon

JOHN HAWKINS/Southland Times

MEDAL COUNT: Southland centennial marathon organiser Matt Sillars with the commemorative medals which will be handed out to those completing the distance on Sunday. About 500 runners have entered in the marathon and half-marathon, with many of them coming from outside the province.

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With more than 280 entries in the marathon and 200 or so in the half, you will have plenty of company on Sunday morning.

Good company, in fact, as people who run are fitter than average, healthier than most and smarter as well – it's true.

Research has shown that aerobic activity improves brain activity by making new neurons through increasing the number of stem cells and keeps the brain young by developing healthier blood vessels.

The long-range weather forecast is for partly cloudy, a low of 8, high of 17 and a gentle 10kmh tail wind.

Ideal. Take warm clothes to the start (they will be taken to the finish) and it will pay to include sun block in your bag along with the Vaseline, change of clothing and replacement drink for when you finish.

It is recommended that you take a carbohydrate drink immediately after the race and another two hours later. They will restore the muscle metabolic equilibrium quickly, enabling quicker muscle recovery.

Apart from that, good luck and enjoy the company of all the other healthy, fit and smart people on the road from Riverton Sunday morning. Of which you, as a runner, are one.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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