Marathon man takes on The Legend | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

COMPETING in his first marathon, Taranaki Regional Council's Stephen Dobson expected he would just be glad to finish Arthur Lydiard's legendary west Auckland training route, let alone do well at it.

The decision to run in 'The Legend' marathon couldn't have had a less auspicious inception for the 25-year-old consents officer.

"I decided to do a marathon because I was bored," admitted Stephen, "and the rugby season was over."

Though his initial thoughts may have been somewhat indifferent, Stephen applied himself to a fairly tight training regime in the lead-up to the September 20 event and managed to get fifth in the field of 50 men running on the day.

"I'm pretty happy with it. I didn't think I'd do so well." Already fit from a season of playing centre for the Stratford Rugby Club, Stephen's marathon training took him all around the streets of New Plymouth, running five or six times a week, gradually building up the stamina and endurance he would require for the difficult 42km of the marathon route.

'The Legend' route is well known to elite runners in New Zealand and was used by Arthur Lydiard to train his prodigies Peter Snell and Murray Halberg. It is widely regarded as the toughest road marathon in the country.

"Although it's very scenic, The Legend route is really hilly as it goes over the Waitakere Ranges in west Auckland."

Part of Stephen's endurance training was to run from Stratford to New Plymouth, which he did in two-and-a-half hours a week before the event.

Stephen acknowledges he was lucky enough to have the support of a group of mates who kept him motivated throughout the full 42km he had to run, even though they were exhausted from a night of celebrating after the Warrior's game of September 19.

"I was up at 5am on the day of the marathon, just as they were coming back from town!"

The marathon started at 6.30am and Stephen managed to complete it in three hours.

"Training for a marathon does occupy a lot of time, but it's definitely worth it," he said, "and it feels really good when you finish it."

Stephen plans to do more marathons in the future and is eying up Taranaki's own 'Mountain to Surf' next year