Whangarei's Cemetery Rd circuit race tomorrow is safer and more sedate than its Wanganui counterpart, the country's best known motorbike street racing event.
You won't hear any engines when the Whangarei event gets underway because it's a 17km fun run.
The annual event celebrates the winding down of the harrier season and
helps prepare for the Kerikeri Half Marathon in two weeks, says organiser Colin Smith.
"It's a great build-up for Kerikeri. It's an ideal run two weeks out."
Organised by Hatea Harriers, the Maunu event includes runners from Hash House Harriers and the Whangarei Harrier Club, with members of the public also invited.
"It's open to everybody. All you have to do is turn up at 1.30pm for a 1.45pm start at 277 Cemetery Rd - we'll have a sign out, so you can't miss it," says Smith.
The Whangarei cycle club Marsden Wheels have also included the event on their calendar and they will complete the circuit twice in the opposite direction to the runners.
Runners complete the circuit clockwise, running along Cemetery Rd toward Maungatapere, down Maunu Rd and along to Otaika Valley Rd and back along Cemetery Rd. The route features a more gentle climb than the cycling route which features two climbs up Maunu hill.
Numbers for the event often fluctuate, says Smith. Last year there were more than 30 runners and about 10 or 15 riders.
There is also a 6km light run and the day winds up with a barbecue.
