A massive weekend for South Island sport saw traditional Canterbury rugby fans out in strength, Coast to Coast multisporters crossing the ranges and marathon runners on the West Coast. Press reporters and photographers were across the region, covering the action.
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Torrential rain and high winds may have played havoc with the Coast to Coast but the elements could not blow away the smiles on the faces of the 3300 who crossed the Buller Marathon finish line.
Christchurch's Matt Ingram, 30, who won the men's half- marathon in one hour 12 minutes 23 seconds, said the severe head winds and horizontal West Coast rain in the Buller Gorge made it tough for runners.
Ingram also led from the start, which had its downside. "Right from the start there was no-one else to run with, brochure printing so it was more of a mental battle," he said.
Nelson competitor Paula Canning won the women's marathon in 3hr 1min 55sec in only her second marathon run. She also won last year's Buller Marathon.
For German Michael Rathing, the gruelling marathon was just part of his holiday.
Rathing, 46, had been covering 110 kilometres a day on his cycle tour of the South Island, but decided to have a "day off" to run 42km instead.
He planned to treat himself to a rest day after running the marathon in 4hr 8min.
"It's not a flat course so it's not the easiest, but it's not the hardest," Rathing said.
"It's not such an easy holiday."
postcard printing In Christchurch, the weather was better for the Crusaders' first hit-out of the 2010 Super 14 season against the Highlanders.
In a return to pitch invasions of the past, fans were allowed to get close to their rugby heroes.
As the fulltime hooter sounded at AMI Stadium, the 23,000-strong crowd was given a rare opportunity to run on to the field and mingle with the players.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said he hoped Vbase, which manages the venue, would continue to allow supporters on to the field for the rest of the season.
"Wasn't it fantastic?" Blackadder said.
"I think there is nothing better than kids being allowed to be able to stand by their heroes in the Crusaders and get their autographs.
"It makes you wonder why they got rid of it in the first place."
Zenith Replica Watches The Crusaders won the game 32-17.
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