About 5000 runners are expected to take part in the annual Christchurch Marathon on Sunday.
The event, the biggest marathon in the South Island, had a drop in numbers after the course was moved from the central city after the February 2011 earthquake, to a new course near Christchurch airport.
The number of runners fell from almost 6000 in 2010, to about 3000 in 2011.
Race director Chris Cox said the increasing number of participants is an encouraging sign that the event has recovered.
The marathon has been held for 33 years. It generates $2 million for the Canterbury region.
