Gizzy Laser Half Marathon a 'cause close to everyone's heart'

Green for go . . . Paul Gow ticks off the k’s in the 21km section of the Gizzy Laser Half Marathon which started and finished at Matawhero Wines and took in the stopbank track along Waipaoa River. Paul earned his aftermatch drink with a 1 hour 42 minutes 22 seconds effort. Pictures by Liam Clayton

The second edition of the Gizzy Laser Half Marathon attracted nearly 300 competitors to the Matawhero Wines-based event on Sunday.

“Considering the (wet) weather, we were pretty stoked with the turnout,” co-organiser and Gisborne Harriers Club committee member Michelle Rennie said.

“If we’d had a nice sunny day, we would’ve got more.

“I guess because of the cause as well — people were keen to get in and support it.”

Half of the proceeds after costs will go to the Gisborne East Coast branch of the Cancer Society, a charity former Olympian Rennie says “is close to everyone’s heart”.

“It’s pretty awesome to have an opportunity to be able to support them.”

The event featured three distances — 21 kilometres, 10km and 5km — and took in the scenic stopbank track along Waipaoa River. It started and finished at Matawhero Winery.

Callum Hawkins won the male section of the 21km in a time of 1 hour 21 minutes 49 seconds, followed by Simon Bousfield (1:24.05) and Andy Taylor (1:30.24) .

Sian Johnson claimed the top spot in the female division, completing the half-marathon in 1:40:32. Bea Tomlinson was second (1:42.20) and Phoebe Bates third (1:46.17).

In the 10km distance, Mollie Mulrooney was fastest of the females in 45.34, Gabby Galletly was second in 47.02 and Sophie Couper third in 47.59.

Joshua Solomann whipped around in 40.40 to be first male with Andrew McBride 22 seconds behind in 41.02 and Ethan Rofe third in 43.36.

The women’s 5km saw Indyanah Moore the fastest female (and second overall) in 25.38 ahead of Rose Faber in 28.31 and Else Pauwels third in 29.01.

Graham Wilson was the fastest male over the 5km. He clocked 22.17, heading off Rupert Bousfield (26.04) and Max Hindmarsh (26:19).

Rennie was grateful to all who helped out and those who took part and supported the event.

“We have a really amazing committee at Gisborne Harrier Club that worked really hard behind the scenes to put it on. I was really proud of our team but also the community for turning up in the rain and getting in behind it. That was really cool to see.”

She also thanked major sponsor Laser Electrical Gisborne and Matawhero Wines for hosting the event.