'Stick to your routine' - injury warning from ACC ahead of Auckland marathon

ACC is urging people taking part in Sunday's Barfoot & Thompson Runway Auckland Marathon to take care of themselves and avoid pushing their bodies too hard.

Nearly 18,000 runners and walkers are expected to take part in the event, which will mark its 35th year.

ACC supported more than 17,400 people to recover from running-related injuries last year.

Its injury prevention leader James Whitaker said runners should stick to the routines they have followed during training and not try anything "radically new".

This included their usual footwear, clothing, nutrition and hydration, he said.

Marathons could place huge stress on the body and gut, and unfamiliar gear or nutrition could easily lead to cramping, stomach issues, dehydration or worse.

"If you want to avoid injury, the best thing you should do is just stick with the things you've been covering in your training," Whitaker said.

Runners should also pay attention to warning signs such as pain, and slow down if they need to.

"Because the main goal is finishing the marathon," he said.

Ankles and knees were among the most common areas injured by runners.

The advice was not meant to discourage people from running but to avoid physical setbacks, he said.

"It's really important to know that running is a fantastic thing. It gets you into the outdoors and it's really good for your well-being too."

The event features several race distances, including the full marathon, half marathon, 11-kilometre and five-kilometre events and a children's run. It is the largest marathon field since 2014.

The event is expected to deliver more than $6 million in regional economic benefit, with thousands of runners and supporters coming together for one of the city's major annual sporting occasions.