FITNESS, fun or the sheer challenge of it - that's why more than 2000 people are expected to take part in the annual Beach 2 Basin event in Whangarei on Sunday. Brent Markwick, of Sport Northland, said numbers had soared in recent years, making the combined run/walk from Onerahi
to the Town Basin one of the biggest events in Whangarei.
Sport Northland's Run/Walk Series has six events, culminating in the Kerikeri Half Marathon in November and an overall prize of a Mazda 3 worth around $30,000.
Several of this year's participants have been involved with the event since Whangarei Athletics Club had its first City to Sea Fun Run in 1978.
Long-time club member Jim Kettlewell said the event started from small beginnings in 1978.
Last year's participation of 2300 runners and walkers with 105 school teams are the figures to beat this time.
If you missed entering the Chilltech Beach 2 Basin this year, a new event has been added to the Run/Walk Series called the Mangawhai Heads 2 Harbour on July 6. Visit www.runwalkseries.co.nz for more information.
Beach 2 Basin quick facts
486 cones are used to line the course
48 road signs
70% of entrants walk 55% of entrants do the shorter 5.4km distance
65% of entrants are female
Each participant will complete between 6750 (5.4km) and 12,000 (9.6km) steps during the event
Entrants will complete a combined total of about 14,500km or 18,171,250 steps - enough to circle the moon four times
