Christchurch runner Oska Baynes is aiming to rewrite the record books at this weekend’s Christchurch Marathon. Not only is he targeting a 20-year-old course record, but he’s also hoping to become the first person to win every marathon distance – 10km, half marathon, and full marathon – twice.
“It will be tough, but you’ve got to try tough things in life, and I like a challenge,” said Baynes.
The 33-year-old, who owns specialist running store The Frontrunner Colombo, began running at 16, after being encouraged by his high school maths teacher – none other than 33-time national distance champion Phil Costley.
Since then, Baynes has built an impressive career, winning the New Zealand Half Marathon Championships five times, helping secure three NZ Road Relay Championship victories, and claiming podium finishes in national cross-country and track events.
Despite his success, he said he’s still chasing the “perfect marathon” and hopes Sunday might be it.
“Everything is coming together really well. My body is in great nick, the course is flat, and they’ve removed some of the corners so that should make it even faster,” he said.
His goal is to beat the Christchurch Marathon record of 2:15:12, set by Tom Birnie in 1985. If he succeeds, he’ll be the first athlete to win all three Christchurch Marathon race distances twice.
Baynes believes being on home turf will give him an edge.
“Being at home there’s a lot of stuff you can control in the week before the event – your sleep, what you eat, how much time you spend on your feet, and to a degree, what’s going on at home,” he said.
“Having hometown support and the community around me will also make a real difference – it’s almost like having a third lung. People know what I’m trying to achieve this year and I know they’ll be rallying for me.”
His biggest supporters are his wife Katy and their two children.
“They make a lot of choices as a family that enables me to run 170km a week most weeks of the year. They are a huge motivating factor.”
Another source of motivation is the finish line itself – Hagley Park.
“It’s almost like the spiritual home of running in New Zealand,” he said. “Hagley Park has a vibe – there’s an emotional attachment to it. Knowing that the last three kilometres will see me come in along Carlton Corner and into the finishing chute in Hagley Park is pretty special.”
