Scare sweeps diary clean

A sign at the Auckland ferry terminal. Photo / Natalie Slade

Organisers of high-profile events took a more cautious approach than many New Zealanders yesterday, cancelling everything from a nude photo shoot to a major half-marathon.

Auckland's 27th Cathay Pacific Half Marathon and 11km Run & Walk - which meanders from the Orakei Reserve along Tamaki Drive and back around through St Heliers - was called off, with no postponement date available.

Organiser Alan Moore said it wasn't possible to reschedule, as roads and parks had to be booked more than a year in advance.

He said organisers were very disappointed the event was cancelled, but applauded the reaction from its 1977 participants. One runner was due to line up for the 17th time.

"Most people were very accepting of the situation we found ourselves in, which was wonderful," Mr Moore said.

The event was called off at 5.45am on the advice of Auckland Civil Defence, with tsunami swells due to strike Auckland at 10.22am.

Some runners and walkers carried on unperturbed, conspicuously dotted around the bays in their official orange race singlets.

"We said if you want to go for a run you are free to do so as individuals, but if you're going to run along the waterfront please be aware the tsunami is due to hit Auckland at 10.22am," said Mr Moore.

The annual Mayoral Challenge 2km bike ride at Orewa Beach was also cancelled, despite the Rodney District Council website promising it would happen "rain or shine".

Meanwhile thousands of people gearing up for the Onetangi Beach Races on Waiheke Island were out of luck. Event co-ordinator Jenness Reeve said horses were turned back at Half Moon Bay after a decision was made at 5.45am. But she applauded Auckland Civil Defence staff for keeping in constant contact about the tsunami situation.

The races - which have grown from horse-only to include tractors and amphibious boats - have been rescheduled for Sunday, March 14.

"Having completed a very comprehensive hazard management plan only a week ago I commented that I had planned for everything except a tsunami - wish I had kept my mouth shut," laughed Mrs Reeve.

Hundreds of volunteers and thousands of participants were involved. "It's the island's largest community fundraiser, we were expecting 5000 to 8000 people," she said. Meanwhile, the annual Kaiaua Wine and Food Festival in the Waikato was also cancelled, as was a mass nude photo shoot at Wellington's Breaker Bay and a dragon boat race on the harbour.

Both the Ironkids Duathlon in Napier and the under-14 National Surf Life Saving Championships in Mount Maunganui were cancelled.

In Canterbury Rakaia fishing competition organisers and search and rescue staff moved people on from the river mouth.