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Paige Boyed with her running partner and mother Shelley were happy to complete the 11km Traverse at the Auckland Marathon raising $ 3000 for Starship Hospital. Photo / Dean Purcell
A slightly cloudy day welcomed thousands of runners competing in the ASB Auckland Marathon this morning.
Among the nearly 14,000 people in attendance was 23-year-old Paige Boyed, who completed her quarter marathon, surpassing her personal best.
Boyed, who was born with spina bifida and amniotic band syndrome, told the Herald that he did not think he could run again after an operation when he was 8 years old to strengthen his right leg and he couldn’t bend it.
“There is still a discrepancy in the length and since I can’t bend it, my leg swings when I run.”
But despite being warned by doctors that the complication could cause him to never be able to run again, he proved them wrong and completed his quarter marathon this morning, raising more than $ 3,000 for Starship Hospital.
Boyed said she had enjoyed the race and was already thinking about next year when she could challenge herself to complete the half marathon instead of the 11km Traverse.
“It was really good. It was fun. I thought it was a good day.”
She said her goal was just to cross the finish line, but she completed it in 1 hour and 37 minutes, her fastest time.
“It wasn’t the moment I expected, but it wasn’t too bad, just a few minutes longer than I wanted.”
The cloudy weather helped keep runners cool, he said.
The first race left Devonport at 5.55am. The wheelchair categories were followed five minutes later by the ASB Marathon competitors.
A mix of young, old, fast and slow competed in all five races and made the most of the opportunity to cross the Auckland Harbor Bridge.
Wellington’s Daniel Jones was this year’s winner, beating Michael Voss and Fabe Downs.
It’s been an interesting year for Jones, who traveled to Kenya this year for a five-week training camp but stayed for five months due to Covid-19.
“It’s a shame we don’t have the Australians and other internationals here, but it’s amazing to come back from that second place and get that victory, it’s very good,” Jones said.
“Obviously, we are one of the lucky countries where the races are on. It’s amazing to see so many people here taking advantage of that, it’s an incredible turnout, I think I can speak for everyone when I say it’s good to breathe hard. again “.
