2012 Arthritis New Zealand Marathon

Welcome to the Annual Arthritis New Zealand Recreational Marathon. "The Most Scenic Marathon in the World"

A fundraising event for individuals and teams. Walk, jog or run - just have fun!

Welcome to the 2012 Arthritis Marathon

Get ready for a fun day on Sunday 12 August 2012!

Registrations for Arthritis Marathon 2012 are now open!!

Limited places available so register today!

The first 50 registrations receive a complimentary AMI water bottle. Hurry they are running out fast!!

Download your registration form now.

If a full marathon is not your ideal distance, you can now choose from the following distances:

 - Full Marathon (42km)

 - Half Marathon (21km)

 - 14km

 - 7km

Enter as an individual, team or relay.

Visit our Arthritis Marathon Facebook Page for the latest information. And inspire your friends and family by adding the 2012 Arthritis Marathon Event to your Facebook Calendar.

What Is The Arthritis Marathon?

This Hamilton based event is now in it's third year and welcomes all ages and abilities. All moneys received by the Arthritis Marathon (from entry fees and fundraising efforts) go directly to Arthritis New Zealand to help the over 530,000 people in New Zealand who are affected by Arthritis.

The course will be divided into sections (of approximately 7km each) so individuals and teams can choose to complete all or just part of the course. Teams are encouraged to enter as a relay.

See the Official Arthritis Marathon Flyer by clicking here         

Where is it?

This fun marathon will be held in along the picturesque banks of the Waikato River as it meanders through Hamilton, New Zealand.

See the Route Map by clicking here                     

When is it?

Get yourself or your team ready! The marathon will be held on Sunday 12 August 2012.

Start Times:

8.00am - Half Marathon and Marathon Runners Start (Teams and Individuals)

8.05am - Half Marathon and Marathon Walkers Start (Teams and Individuals)

8.10am - 7km and 14km Runners and Walkers Start (Teams and Individuals)

Why do it?

To raise funds for the over 530,000 New Zealander's living with arthritis - helping to achieve a better quality of life through the support and education services of Arthritis New Zealand.

The organisers of this event are passionate about Arthritis and know all to well the effects it can have on daily life.

Fundraising?

With so many people affected by arthritis and in need of help there is a strong emphasis on fundraising (the registration form includes a pledge to fund raise).

Be in the running for the Everyday Hero Top Fundraiser Prize. Simply create a page on Everyday Hero and start fundraising. The person with the highest amount raised will win the prize.

If those donating to you do not have a credit card please use this Sponsorship Form

Fundraising can be easier than you may think and loads of fun! Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

 - Sponsorship (traditional and effective)

 - Sausage Sizzle

 - Selling chocolate bars (Cadbury)

 - Selling Pies (Oxford Pies)

 - Selling Glow Sticks (GlowStickLtd)

 - Host a Trivia Night

Or see the followings news articles for inspiration:

Sweet deserts - Article 1

It soon adds up - Article 2

Please send us your best fundraising ideas to Carol.Hall@arthritis.org.nz or post it on our Arthritis Marathon Facebook Page

How much will it cost?

For individuals the registration fee are as follows:

 - Marathon $75

 - Half Marathon $75

 - 14km $60

 - 7km $60

9 – 11 year old FREE
12 – 17 year old $40 per person

The registration fee for a team (3 people or more) is $60 per person. A team is welcome to participate in the event together or as a relay.

Along with the registration fee all participants pledge to raise $100 per individual or $400 per team. This will make an enormous difference to those with Arthritis. To start your own fundraising visit Everyday Hero

What events can I enter?

Individual: You can walk, run or jog the full length of this marathon. A fantastic achievement in itself! Or you can enter the half marathon, 14km or 7km distances.

Team Relay: Bring together a team of 3, 4 or more colleagues or friends. Each person walks, runs or jogs their own section of the course making up the full length of the marathon.

Team Event:Teams are welcome to participate in any of the distances together.

Nordic Walking:We welcome all nordic walkers to this event. If you are interested in learning to Nordic Walk visit Nordic Walking Website.

Wheelchair Half Marathon: Most of the 21km loop is wheelchair accessible although there are some steep parts of the course where wheelchair athletes may require some additional assistance. They are:
• Grantham St to Victoria St (ascent)
• Path from London St to river (descent)
• Approaching the Pukete footbridge (ascent)
• Approaching Cobham Br from the eastside (ascent)

We aim to have volunteer support providing assistance at these points, though if possible, we recommend asking a friend to cycle the course with you as there are some long stretches between marshal points. At the least, you will need to be in mobile phone contact with the organisers of the marathon.

If you have any special requirements please contact the organisers or email carol.hall@arthritis.org.nz

How do I register?

Register now - numbers are limited!

Or contact Carol Hall on (07) 829 4536 or email carol.hall@arthritis.org.nz

For more information about Arthritis New Zealand, visit www.arthritis.org.nz

Keep up to date on our Arthritis Marathon Facebook Page     

The official Twitter hashtag is #ArthritisMarathon   

Check-in to Arthritis Marathon on FourSquare  

Age Restrictions:

In the interest of the health and safety of participants, the below age restrictions have been put in place.

All participants must be aged 9 years or older to enter.

Age bracket and the corresponding distances available to enter;
9 - 11yrs; 7km
12 - 15yrs; 7km/14km
16 - 17yrs; 7km/14km/Half-Marathon
18+ - All events

Registration Fees;
9 – 11yrs; FREE
12 – 17yrs; $40 per person

All participants under 18 yrs of age must have signed consent from a parent/caregiver and be accompanied by a registered adult for the entire duration of the event.

What Will be at the Start / Finish Area? 

Where is it:

The start / finish area is on Grantham Street, Hamilton. Nest to the boat ramp you will find the Hamilton Marathon Clinic (which will be our registration area). On the river side is the Start / Finish area.

There will be a number of stands at the start / finish area, including a sausage sizzle and massage marque. The massage marque will be run by Vitahealth Massage Solutions. Post event massage is a flushing technique aiding and assisting recovery from long duration exercise. Post event massage improves blood flow to tired sore muscles, helps to eliminate the accumulation of toxins and wastes so the athlete lactic acid and soreness gets removed from the body quickly. Massages will also be available up to 1 hour before race start. Pre event massage is different from post. It is designed to warm the muscles up for the long duration exercise and is the same costing and timing as post event. The cost for the pre and post event massage is $15 for 10-13 minutes and is cash only.

What other ways can I be involved?

Fundraising:

Have fun fundraising for Arthritis New Zealand. Whether or not you are participating in the marathon you are encouraged to join the fundraising efforts and make a real difference to the lives of thousands of New Zealander's who live with from Arthritis through Everyday Hero Arthritis Marathon Fundrasing.

Volunteering:

An event of this magnitude can only be possible with the help of our valued volunteers. You can make a difference in many areas of the marathon by volunteering today. Areas include; marshals, water station, support teams, finish line and pre event. To join our volunteer team at the Arthritis Marathon simply email Carol with an indication of the areas that interests you carol.hall@arthritis.org.nz

Download a Volunteer Registration Form here! 

Make a Donation:

Want to help but can't be there on the day? Donate Now and all proceeds go directly to Arthritis New Zealand.

What else do I need to know?

Route: The Marathon route will be two loops of a 21km course. The Half Marathon is one loop of the 21km route. The 7km and 14km distances will finish at designated water stations along the route.

Start / Finish: The marathon shall start at the bottom outside the Hamilton Hawks Clubroom, next to the boat ramp on Grantham Street, Hamilton.

Water Stations: There will be major water stations along the route (approximately every 7km).

Team Relay Entries: In a team of 2 each person will complete one 21km loop. In a team of 3 each person will complete one 14km stretch with the change-over at the appropriate water station. In a team of 6 each person will complete one 7km stretch with the change-over at each water station. 

Refunds: Refunds are available subject to an administration charge of $15. Request for refunds must be received before 29 July 2012 and made at the discretion of the race organisers. Should the event be cancelled due to circumstances beyond the organisers reasonable control a refund will not be provided.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome to join their owners on the course. For the safety and comfort of others please keep the dog on a lead and pick any 'presents' the dog may leave.

Time Limit: Due to traffic management requirements there is a 6 hour time limit from the start time.

Course Length: The decision to officially measure the length of the course is currently being reviewed. The unofficial length of the course is 42km give or take a little and as such determine this marathon to be recreational. An update on the measurement of this course will be posted here soon.

Arthritis - The Key Facts:

 - In 2011, over 530,000 New Zealanders aged 15 or over are living with at least one type of arthritis. This equates to nearly 1 in 6 people.
 - Over a 1000 children and young people under the age of 18, are affected
 - Over 25,000 New Zealanders will not work in 2011 due to arthritis
 - It is a painful and unpredictable disease
 - There is no cure
 - Treatments for some forms of arthritis now allow remission
 - There are over 140 different types of arthritis, of which osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and gout are the most common
 - Arthritis affects people of all ages, from infants through to the elderly and can strike at any time
 - Arthritis is the single greatest cause of disability in this country
 - It costs Arthritis New Zealand over $5 million a year to provide essential services –the government funds approximately 12%. The balance is met through donations from individual donors and fundraising activities such as the national Annual Appeal week held in September. 

Arthritis Marathon in the media:

Arthritis Sufferers Face 42km Challenge - Hamilton Press

Watch Central News on Freeview HD channel 30 on Tuesday 19 July 2011 at 7.30pm

Thank You!

We would like to thank the following businesses for their fantastic support of the Arthritis Marathon.

If you would like to add your support please contact Carol Hall on (07) 839 1209 or email carol.hall@arthritis.org.nz

Beauty Express

Hamilton

Bel Merino NZ