26 September 2018
ASB Auckland Marathon Named as Global Qualifer for World Championships
ASB Auckland Marathon has been named as one of 50 events across the globe providing age group athletes the opportunity
to qualify for the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships, being held as part of the Virgin Money London Marathon
in 2020.
The Abbott WMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings launched on 16 September gives ASB Auckland Marathon competitors aged 40
plus the opportunity to represent their countries with pride and passion by earning a place at the start line of the
prestigious and much sort after 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Participants in AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Ranking qualifying races, such as ASB Auckland Marathon on October 28,
will earn points according to their age, time and gender, aligned with the following age groups for men and women:
40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+.
IRONMAN Oceania Managing Director Dave Beeche said the announcement of ASB Auckland Marathon as a qualifying race for
the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships is exciting news for New Zealand marathoners.
“The ten-year partnership between Abbott World Marathon Majors and Wanda was announced in April 2017 and since then the
calendar of events that make up the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings for the inaugural World Championships has
been created, with plans for many more events to be added in the coming years.”
“The spread of the selected marathon events creates a truly global series throughout the entire calendar year, giving
runners across the world the chance to be part of a new era of age group marathon running, offering an opportunity to
gain recognition like never before.”
“We are proud that ASB Auckland Marathon is part of this exciting initiative that will take age group marathon running
to the next level and showcase the achievements of these everyday champions,” Mr Beeche said.
Twenty-three Wanda/IRONMAN-produced marathon events will be part of the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings for the
2018/2019 season.
This includes the Rock ‘n Roll marathons in Madrid, Liverpool and multiple cities across the United States, the Standard
Chartered Singapore Marathon and the Chengdu Panda Marathon. Other marathons in the series include geographical
representation from around the world, such as Helsinki, Moscow, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Los Angeles, Noosa, Toronto, Mexico
City and many more!
For more information on the scoring system and world rankings, visit www.Abbottwmm.com
ENDS