New World rises to challenge

Havelock North New World owner-operator Richard Lucas encourages his staff to star jump to keep fit for the Country to Coast event this Sunday. Photo / Warren Buckland

When Havelock North New World co-owner operator Andrea Lucas heard about the Hawke's Bay Today-sponsored Country2Coast event, which is set to step and dash into action this Sunday, she got hold of a couple of mates and decided to take part.

"But then I thought let's make an event of it so put the word around the rest of the staff and I was overwhelmed by the response."

Fifty New World staff from Havelock North and Hastings will now be giving it a shot.

As it is the first year the crew have taken part in the Havelock North Rotary Club-run event now, in its sixth year, they will take on the 15km course.

"We've been training and getting fit for it - maybe it'll become an annual thing for us and we might look at the 20km next year," she said.

The split between the branches was about 50:50 and while there was no competition planned she had heard a couple of the Havelock North chaps had put a couple of bets on who might finish first.

Event manager Kevin Longman said there was a good mix of individuals and groups set to take part in what he said was a great social event which this year would have a positive outcome for the Vanuatu cyclone relief effort.

"People will enjoy themselves and it will be a little more special because they know they will be making a difference," he said.

The money raised will go toward funding shelter boxes, which were being put together by Rotary International and which contain a family-sized tent, survival gear and water sterilisation units to get people back on their feet until more permanent things were in place.

"Every dollar raised goes toward the fundraising," Mr Longman said.

As well as the excited crew from New World, Tumu Timbers were also getting in on the walk and run in a big way.

About 40 staff members are expected to take part.

Napier-based company Future Finance was also stepping up with about 10 staff set to don the sports shoes.

"It has all come together very well," Mr Longman said, adding he was not phased at this stage by the weather.

"It appears to be getting better by the day."

The Metservice forecast for Sunday at this stage is for sunshine and 21C.

As of yesterday, registrations had nudged past 800 and were on track, he reckoned, for about 1200.

There are three new courses for 2015: entrants can choose from the TSB Bank 8km fun walk/run; McDonald's 15km fun walk/run and the Hillmac Electrical 20km dash for serious athletes. All start from different locations and converge at Farndon Park in Clive for food, drink and entertainment, with a short prize-giving at noon.

-Online registration for Country2Coast is available until midnight tonight, although registrations will also be taken at the Havelock North Function Centre from 10am to 2pm on Saturday and at Farndon Park from 7.30am on Sunday. Registration details are available at: country2coast.co.nz or at the Hawke's Bay Today office. Country2Coast tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children.