Dannevirke: Fun challenge full of mid-winter frivolity

Social cyclists lead off the serious walkers and runners at 9.30am.

Fitness fanatics, families having a day out and friends just wanting to have fun, they were all at Sunday's Norsewood to Takapau fun challenge on Sunday.

A beautiful, crisp morning encouraged record numbers to line up for the event with the early morning social walker group up 45 on last year, delighting Nicki Heremaia of Sport Hawke's Bay.

"I'm really happy and there are even people in fancy dress, that's what the day is all about - having fun," she said.

Dannevirke friends Vanessa Hape, Jeanne O'Brien and Helen Edwards, were hoping their 20km cycle ride would be fun.

"None of us have ridden this distance before and we haven't been training either," Helen said. "We're all just hoping we can get up and get to work on Monday."

The Beamish family from Onga Onga joined friends, the Simmons from Havelock North for their cycling day out. This was the first time they'd tackled the Norsewood to Takapau challenge.

While Lucy Simmons, 6, was excited, 9-year-old Sophie Beamish had her eye on the lollies in her mother's pocket to help fuel her 20km ride.

Jo Hutchinson of Napier was focused on achieving the first of 10 walking challenges.

"This is number one and my husband and I want to do 10 events this year," she said.

Last year Diane Foster dressed as a daggy sheep, this year she was welcoming spring-like weather dressed as a daffodil.

"At work [Silver Fern Farms] we're having a work fit programme and I'm a beginner cyclist," she said. "I won't be leaving my mark like last year though when I dropped wool all along the course."

Norsewood and Takapau Lions were the hard-working volunteers on Sunday and all the proceeds from the event go to local causes.