Sport in Neuseeland

Lecturer becomes Unitec's latest Champion - Undertaking your Doctor of Philosophy, it’s a wonder Unitec School of Sport lecturer Joe Piggin has any time to run a marathon.

"But that’s exactly what the 30-year-old has done after not only completing the historic Rotorua Marathon but also winning it.

And to top off his achievement, the 42km race doubled as the national championships making him the top marathon runner in New Zealand.

“To cross the finishing line was just brilliant,” says the 30-year-old. “I was really lucky I had a lot of friends and family there.”

Having been a reluctant ‘bridesmaid’ in his previous five marathons he has competed in, including a third placing in the Auckland Marathon, Piggin is relieved to finally stand on top of the podium.

“I was quite confident going into the race that I would do well. I’d have to say this is the first time all my training has gone to plan, I didn’t get sick or injured which can leave you wondering after missing all that training.”

Even so, it wasn’t until the latter stages of the marathon that Piggin realised he had a chance to win the race.

Defending champion Craig Kirkwood set a fast pace right from the outset leaving Piggin, in a group of four, to try and reel him back.

Having undergone some intensive hill training as part of his preparation for the Rotorua Marathon, Piggin was able to close the gap between himself and Kirkwood, and eventually pulled away to win.

It is the second time Piggin has competed in the Rotorua Marathon after placing third in 2005.

Piggin took an interest in long distance running during his time at High School.

Then a move to study at Otago University in 1996 saw him run his first marathon as an 18-year-old, and since then, he has competed one or two each year.

“I guess I’m fortunate that I love running so it isn’t so hard for me to train for a marathon, and I’ve got friends who run as well so that always helps.”

While he has no intention on slipping on his running shoes any time soon, Piggin does have one ambition he would like to fulfill – competing in a marathon overseas such as London, New York or Boston.

“It would be great to run in one of those races where you know they’re going to be fast courses so just taking part in one of those races would just be awesome.”

Piggin is lecturing at Unitec’s School of Sport and has just undertaken the necessary requirements for his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Titled “Power, Politics, Politics and Policy: Creating, deploying and resisting meaning in New Zealand Public Sport Policy”, Piggin’s research looks at how sporting decisions and plans are implemented and how the language used impacts people’s interpretation.

It is currently being examined and Piggin is hoping it will prove to be just as successful as his running achievement."

Studienberatung Neuseeland