She said she liked the children to be active rather than glued to the TV: "It is about keeping busy."
The half marathon was won by Kyle MacDonald, fresh from winning the Tauranga Open cross country title last Tuesday. Echoing the cross country result, Kyle's twin brother Iain crossed second, with the MacDonalds blitzing third place-getter Tony Edmonds.
The half marathon is also building up a big following among wheelchair athletes, particularly since the resurgence in recent years of Parafed Bay of Plenty.
Neil Cudby of Papamoa has been hand-cycling for 10 years, calling himself a social rider, with wheelchair rugby his biggest sports interest. He said hand-cycling balanced the shoulder muscles and was a great way to improve aerobic capacity. "I really enjoy it. It's getting out there and getting the wind in your hair," Cudby said.
First among the wheelchair half marathoners was Auckland's Brendon Stratton followed by Ngatea's Sue Reid.