University of Canterbury students head to Wuhan for marathon trip

Quinn Gardiner-Hall, Saskia Cosgrove-Drayton (Master of Mathematical Physics student), Mitchell Mahon (Bachelor of Commerce student) and Lucy King were chosen to represent Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) in the international University Team Challenge part of the event on 22 March.

They are the only team from a New Zealand university taking part, although universities from Hong Kong, Italy and Brazil, are also sending teams. UC was invited as a VIP University Challenge entrant thanks to Christchurch’s sister city relationship with Wuhan which marks its 20th anniversary this year.

Quinn, who is 20 and in his third year of a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours degree, is hoping for a personal best in the half marathon at Wuhan. When he heard that UC had been invited to send a team, he knew instantly he wanted to sign up. “Because who's going to say no? It’s not often you get an experience like this. 

“The support from UC has been awesome and I’m super excited to give a fast half a good hit out. It will be really cool running in Wuhan as it has some amazing history.”  

Teammate Lucy, also 20, and in her third year of a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts, has recovered from breaking her ankle last year and is excited to join the event. 

“Being selected for the team was a huge motivating factor as I returned to running, and it helped me get through all the difficult moments.”

She started running with her mum during the Covid-19 lockdowns and has been hooked ever since. “I started to take running more seriously in 2023 when I discovered my favourite racing distance - half marathons. Wuhan will be my 10th half marathon.” 

It will be her first time visiting China, and she plans to enjoy the experience as much as possible. 

The Wuhan Marathon has 30,000 competitors across the full and half marathon events and features iconic landmarks such as the Yangtze River Bridge. After training steadily for the last few months, the UC team will leave New Zealand next Wednesday. 

UC’s Global Engagement Team has covered the costs of their mandatory medical check-ups, with the rest of their travel costs and accommodation covered by the event organisers. 

UC Recreation and Sport has provided the team members with sport science testing, individual training programmes and coaching support and they will be accompanied on the trip by UC Recreation and Sport Performance Analysis Advisor Tina George. 

UC Executive Director of People, Culture and Campus Life Paul O’Flaherty says the Wuhan Marathon is an exciting opportunity to showcase UC’s talent on a global stage and build cultural connections. “It will be really exciting for the team to compete alongside universities from around the world in one of China’s most vibrant and historic cities.”

Christchurch’s sister cities partnership with Wuhan, which has a population of 12 million people, began in 2006.