Wet weather awaits runners for Run/Walk series

The weather won't be quite this picturesque for the 2017 Beach 2 Basin Run/Walk this Sunday. Photo/Supplied

The prospect of heavy rain isn't enough to scare off competitors in the first event of the 2017 Run/Walk series.

More than 2000 people are expected to weather the storm to run in the annual Chilltech Beach 2 Basin Run/Walk this Sunday.

Runners, walkers and strollers alike are expected to leave from either the Onerahi Tavern car park for the 6.8km course or Onerahi Beach for the longer 10km event, converging on the finish line at the Town Basin.

According to MetService, periods of rain with chances of it being heavy is the order of the day, but that won't deter the determined.

Event organiser Azelia Parkinson said the weather hasn't impacted whether or not the day will be run - just yet.

"The event is pretty much still all go. To put it this way, we've never had to cancel the Beach 2 Basin before," she said.

"Even with heavy rain we haven't had to cancel unless it impacts the safety of the people. People tend to enjoy running in the rain anyway.

"People will wake up and decide but most people who commit come along anyway. They'll come along with their friends and family since it's only really an hour and a half out of their day, which isn't too bad.

"If something changes we will let people know ahead of time. We will definitely run if it's just rain, people might just want to bring a jacket and change of clothes."

Previous female winner Carolyn Younger, will once again be out to take line honours.

However, she is sure to have some competition from Katie McVerry who took out the 2016 Sport Northland Run/Walk Series women's title.

Louis Young and Chris Mills, who both finished in the top five, in the 2016 Run/Walk Series Leaderboard will also be fighting for a top spot to gain points towards the 2017 NorthCloud Leaderboard.

This event features many school groups, workplace and family teams as well as people who are keen to improve their physical activity levels.

While many are competitive and trying for their best time, others stroll and enjoy the fun of the event, with some 'dressing up' for the occasion.

The Chilltech Beach 2 Basin is the first event in the 2017 Sport Northland Run/Walk Series and has the added bonus of every Northland adult who competes going into the draw to win a Mazda 2 car donated by Pacific Motor Group.

Sport Northland's Sponsorship and Funding Lead Colleen Atchison said it is great to have another car as the major spot prize for the series this year.

"This is the 12th car to be given away by Pacific Motor Group as an incentive for people to become more active," she said.

"The lucky draw will take place following the final event in the series - the ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon on November 18."

This year one lucky adult will also walk away with a trip for two to Fiji thanks to House of Travel Whangarei and Mana Fiji.

The next event in the 2017 Sport Northland Run/Walk Series will be the HotPrintz Mangawhai Run/Walk to be held on Sunday April 9.