Run/Walk: Beautiful scenery for Whangarei event

The ACC Whangarei Half Marathon is for fun and serious participants. PHOTO TANIA WHYTE

Around 1200 people will hit the pavement this Sunday for the annual ACC Whangarei Half Marathon and 9km Run/Walk organised by Sport Northland.

The half marathon will once again be a hotly contested event with top Northland runners Harry Linford, Ian Calder, Henry Wallace and Tim Goodwin all in the men's division while Cecilia Vorster and Carolyn Younger look to be likely favourites in the women's division.

Of note is the increase in numbers in the half marathon section of the event.

Runners and walkers will begin the 21.1km course at the Town Basin, head over the Kotuitui Whiti pedestrian bridge and the Te Matau a Pohe bridge and then follow the new pathway along Riverside Drive, through the Waimahanga track to Onerahi before looping back to finish on the Canopy Bridge at the Town Basin.

Sport Northland's events team leader Azelia Parkinson said it was great to be able to utilise the new walk/cycle way.

"The new pathway means the runners and walkers are off the road for a large section of the half marathon which will make it more enjoyable for the participants" she said.

The 9km course which also starts at the Town Basin is also a popular route and will also utilise a great deal of off-road tracks.

Sport Northland has co-ordinated more than 100 marshals from numerous organisations to assist on the day.

As well as a big team from both Sport Northland and ACC, who have worked closely to ensure the event runs smoothly, marshals have been provided by the Whangarei Athletics Club, No 20 Air Squadron, Northland Olympic Weightlifting Club and Shackleton's Sea Scouts. The lead bikes for both events will be ridden by staff from Mybike in Whangarei.

Sport Northland's business development manager Colleen Atchison said an event of this magnitude could be staged without the help and support of many partners and sponsors.

"We always require assistance with equipment including road cones and signage and Downers are always there to help us," she said.

"Likewise sustenance the participants need post-event with the bananas from Regent New World and water from the Rapid Relief team."