Corporates line up for Hatea Loop Challenge

Around 800 'corporates' will take part in the Hatea Loop Challenge.

The Whangarei Town Basin will see about 800 'corporates' run or walk the Hatea Loop in the Ray White Hatea Loop Challenge tomorrow night.

After the success of the inaugural event held last year, Sport Northland has increased the field by a further 200.

Sport Northland's active workplaces co-ordinator, Sharon Adams, has been delighted with the enthusiasm and response of the workers from throughout Northland who have entered the event.

"We have 75 teams entered this year, with even a couple from Auckland, so we are keen to see who will have the bragging rights and take out the titles this year," she said.

Although the 4.5km run/walk event is designed for workplaces to have fun, it is an officially timed event which will allow for an element of competition.

Teams are entered into categories for industry awards which includes a special category for the 'Big Bosses', for all the leaders competing.

John Monteith, a director of Ray White Whangarei, the major sponsor of the Sport Northland organised event, said the overwhelming support with the number of teams entered shows that many Northland workplaces understood the positive benefits of being healthy and active as well the chance to be in a fun event that celebrated being part of a team.

"Ray White has 22 in their team and are really looking forward to the challenge...and the competition!"

The event will start and finish on the Hihiaua Peninsula and will follow the Hatea Loop walk/cycleway, through the Town Basin, along Riverside Drive, crossing over the Te Matau a Pohe Bridge and the Kotuitui Whitinga footbridge to a festival finish on the Peninsula.

This will include live music by local band '5K'. With 40 tent sites booked for the event this will be a great opportunity for networking and relaxing prior to the prizegiving which will include spot prizes as well as the industry awards.

For those wanting to watch the event, it kicks off at 6pm.