Tauranga Boys' to run eco friendly fundraiser

Sausage sizzles and cake stalls are out - Tauranga Boys' College crosscountry team have come up with a novel fundraiser next month incorporating fun, fitness and some of the best untapped running terrain in the region.

The Tauranga Trail Run at the TECT All Terrain Park on SH36 is a fundraiser with a difference - all carbon emissions from the event will be offset and the main trail at the all-purpose venue is largely untouched.

Held on Sunday, October 23, the Tauranga Trail Run includes a 4km children's event (with accompanying adults free) and 13km/26km run options. There is a corporate challenge too - five people from the same workplace doing the 13km event go in a draw for a $500 restaurant voucher.

Early bird entries close on the September 23.

"Our main point of difference is that it's the first 'carboNZero' certified athletic event in New Zealand meaning all carbon emissions will be offset," Tauranga Boys' College teacher and race organiser Scott Furness said yesterday.

"We are also planting a tree for every participant on the course to pay it forward. Additional green features are two free buses transporting participants and family members from Aquinas College on the day to save on vehicle miles, and the traditional race packs for competitors won't exist in their normal format.

"Instead, we'll have large plastic bins and people will take what they want rather than getting a plastic bag full of things they might throw away."

The boys' college crosscountry team will be working on the tracks this weekend, helping put in 300-400m more track for use on race day.

Furness said the course was visually stunning. "There's some gravel at the beginning to spread people out then a mixture of mountainbike, horse and walking tracks. Highlights include native bush, awesome views across the Central Plateau as far as Mount Tarawera and Mount Ruapehu, three stream crossings and the 60m-long Te Rerenga Tunnel which was hand dug in the 1930s Great Depression."

There will be a good array of spot prizes on the day, including a $500 Interislander voucher and a 10-minute helicopter ride from Oceania Helicopters for five people from Tauranga Airport worth just under $500.

Furness can be contacted on 021 042 6515 or via email at s.furness@tbc.school.nz

Entry options:

Under-12/child 4km walk/run: $5 (before Sept 23), $7 (before Oct 23), $10 (race day).

Adult 4km walk/run: free with child

Under-18/student 13km walk/run: $10 (before Sept 23), $15 (before Oct 23), $20 (race day).

Adult 13km walk/run: $20 (before Sept 23), $25 (before Oct 23), $20 (race day).

Under-18/student 26km run: $15 (before Sept 23), $20 (before Oct 23), $25 (race day).

Adult 26km run: $30 (before Sept 23), $35 (before Oct 23), $40 (race day).