Press Release – Christchurch Marathon Two former champions will revive their long-standing rivalry at this weekend’s ASB Christchurch Marathon. While the national marathon championship will take centre stage at the 40th anniversary ASB Christchurch Marathon this Sunday, it is the Half Marathon that could produce the hardest fought race of the day. In a race of champions amongst men, 2019 half marathon champion, Daniel Balchin, and 2016 champion, Oska Baynes, will line up together yet again. Balchin (30) and Baynes (29) have gone head-to-head in races all over the country for more than a decade, but it is in Christchurch where their rivalry has been keenest.