Remuera killing: Women take part in memorial run

Around 200 people took part in a run in Auckland today in remembrance of Jo Pert, the jogger fatally attacked in Remuera last week.

Today's jog - organised by "Run for Her," a group set up by Nike NZ running co-ordinator Lydia O'Donnell - started at Victoria Park in the central city and snaked 5km along the waterfront and through the Westhaven Marina precinct.

Ms Pert, a 41-year-old mother of two young children, was killed while on a morning run on January 7.

Ms Pert, a 41-year-old mother of two, was fatally attacked while on a morning run in Remuera a week ago. Photo / Supplied

Hours later, a 24-year-old Mt Roskill man handed himself in to the police. He has been charged with murder.

Ms O'Donnell said it was important for women to "reclaim the streets" and to feel safe while out running.

"Women are scared and that's not right," she said.

"Running is a gift that should be used anywhere and everywhere we like."

The event - which drew both men and women - began with a minute's silence for Ms Pert, who was found in Shore Rd.

A Remuera jogger, Genevieve Brown, said she wanted to support the remembrance run because women should feel safe on the streets.

Women gather before the run. Photo / Catherine Gaffaney

"I live in Remuera, I'm a single mother in her 40s and I run where she [Jo Pert] used to. This scared people but we shouldn't have to be," she said.

Ms O'Donnell said Auckland Council supported the remembrance event, and New World Victoria Park had given participants food and drink at the end of the run.

She plans to develop "Run for Her" from a one-off event into a community where runners can connect and plan runs with each other.

Ms O'Donnell said she loved to organise running groups but this tool would keep it more local.

"Initially I just wanted to do the one event but I just kept hearing that it was such a great idea and people were really engaging in it," she said.

The turnout for the remembrance run was an encouragement to her after all the planning that went into it.

"I am so overwhelmed by the response today. It was great to be able to talk to some people and hear their stories and their backgrounds."