They said that with 8000 registered participants in the half marathon, of which 46% are women, the men\u2019s and women\u2019s name lists were separated for printing.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, the wrong list was used for the women\u2019s items.\u201d<\/p>\n
The issue is limited to women\u2019s half marathon T-shirts and hoodies where participant names appear.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sincerely apologise for the mistake and are working to make this right. Anyone who purchased an affected T-shirt or hoodie without realising their name was not included can request a full refund.\u201d<\/p>\n
The spokesperson said they were arranging a reprint of the women\u2019s half marathon T-shirts with the correct names.<\/p>\n
\u2018How lame\u2019<\/p>\n
In a video, the competitor said she noticed the apparent omission while collecting her race pack yesterday. <\/p>\n
She showed a hoodie with runners\u2019 names printed in small type alongside a pink logo and the 21.1km race distance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have everybody\u2019s names printed on the back. So you think, but actually only the men\u2019s names, and it was a mistake. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow lame,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
She said the shirts and shorts she had pre-purchased were also unavailable when she collected her race pack, which she described as \u201cvery disappointing\u201d.<\/p>\n
A female runner at the marathon bib collection this afternoon in The Cloud on Queens Wharf told the Herald they noticed a similar issue. <\/p>\n
She said some of the merchandise only had the men\u2019s names printed on them, including the half marathon shirts and hoodies.<\/p>\n
A staff member stationed at a table explaining the problem to participants told her the issue was \u201chugely disappointing\u201d.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s hoodie, with no women\u2019s names on it.<\/p>\n
Social media commenters criticised the apparent omission of women\u2019s names. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is soooo disappointing. Do better, Auckland Marathon,\u201d one person wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cOmg I thought I was actually going crazy when I couldn\u2019t find my name,\u201d another female runner wrote. <\/p>\n
Others said they thought the omission of the women\u2019s names was \u201cvery much a design choice\u201d.<\/p>\n
A TikTok video claims that one item of Auckland Marathon merchandise, which prints participants\u2019 names on the back, lists only male names. Photo \/ @that_tasi <\/p>\n
Women registered for the half marathon can purchase a replacement at the Expo today until 5pm or from the merchandise tent at the finish line tomorrow between 7am and 1pm.<\/p>\n
Replacement T-shirts will be posted free of charge following the event.<\/p>\n
The Auckland Marathon returns for its 35th year tomorrow, with more than 18,000 participants registered. <\/p>\n
Participants can choose from five distances: the marathon, half marathon, 11km traverse, 5km and the kids marathon.<\/p>\n