Charity runners raise $3500

Kaya Shlomi from Taradale, running in the Multiple Steps for Multiple Sclerosis 10km hill run yesterday. Photo / Warren Buckland

The fourth annual Multiple Steps for Multiple Sclerosis event saw runners "bust a gut" on the stairs and streets of Napier to raise funds and awareness to fight the disease.

Multiple Sclerosis Hawke's Bay office manager Nicola Brown said this year's run had about 100 more runners than the previous year.

"People have been great at encouraging workmates and friends to take part."

Although it was still too early for final figures, Ms Brown was confident they had raised more than $3500.

"We are very pleased, it's been amazing."

This year's run had a new starting point, extra course added and a fantastic number of pre-registrations, she said. "Last year we had 266 participants [140 were pre-registered].

"This year we had 235 pre-registered, which is just brilliant," Ms Brown said.

The final total of competitors was about 380.

Ms Brown said she was delighted at the number of marshals who volunteered their time.

Taradale High School and waka ama students took part, and a few MS members even managed to finish the new, flat Rotary pathway course.

Runners and walkers finished at the bottom of the Madeira Steps, where prizes were handed out and a sausage sizzle was enjoyed.

All the money raised goes to Hawke's Bay Multiple Sclerosis Society.