The event starts at Whakatāne and finishes on Ōhope Beach. Photo / Supplied
The Eastern Bay region is to receive a boost with the launch of the ambitious Sun to Surf Half Marathon, set to finish on the iconic Ōhope Beach.
The oceanside event, which takes place on the final day of daylight saving on April 6, 2019, will start late afternoon to allow competitors to run into the twilight from Whakatāne to the finish on New Zealand's best loved beach.
Organised by Victory Events, with support from Whakatāne District Council, the event is expected to attract many visitors to the region and offer competitors of all abilities the opportunity to run and walk from Whakatāne to Ōhope Beach.
Besides the Sun to Surf Half, the inaugural beachside running festival will also offer the Surf Strider 10km and Sun Run and Walk 5km.
The picture postcard half-marathon route, which combines 80 per cent road with 20 per cent trail, starts by the bronze statue of Wairaka at Whakatāne Heads and then through the beach township before hitting the signature 1.7km 7.6 per cent gradient climb up native tree-lined Hillcrest Rd.
The route continues traverses the Ōhope Harbourside Trail before the final 1km tracks along the hard-packed white sand to the finish on Ōhope Beach.
Jason Cameron from Victory Events said the inspiration for the half marathon was creating an event that connected two iconic destinations in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
"The point-to-point nature of the course serves up many special sites and stunning views and with the event ending on New Zealand's most popular beach, it is something unique for the participants."
With the Eastern Bay also staging the annual Toi's Challenge and Oxfam Trailwalker, the introduction of the Sun to Surf Half Marathon dovetails nicely into to the region's run/walk events schedule and, according to Cameron, will have widespread appeal.
"There is something for everyone, from the more competitive athlete to the beginner. For those training for the Rotorua Marathon or Hawke's Bay Marathon in May, the Sun to Surf represents an ideal preparatory event.
"For others looking for something shorter and flatter the Surf Strider 10km will be an achievable challenge too. For the family and kids we have the Sun Run and Walk around Ōhope Recreation Area starting and finishing on the beach."
Whakatāne District Mayor Tony Bonne said he was hugely excited by the far-reaching potential of the event.
"Sun to Surf is a great fit for our district brand. We're consistently among the country's sunniest spots and we're home to New Zealand's most loved beach, which is not only a fantastic surf beach but safe for families with heaps of outdoor fun options."
The event will feature an elite athlete component and Edgecumbe-based Sjors Corporaal, who was runner-up in the 2018 Rotorua Marathon, is relishing the prospect of competing in his home region on April 6.
"The Sun to Surf will be a perfect lead in event for next May's Rotorua Marathon. I'm looking forward to the challenging climb out of Whakatāne and the last 10km from the surf club to Ōhope Beach.
"I believe it will be an honest course where pace judgement coming off the top of the climb will be crucial," he said.
The event will give back to the community with 10 per cent of entry fees to be invested into two selected community organisation initiatives - Whakatāne Surf Club and Life Education Trust.
There will be post-race live music, entertainment, craft food and beverage stalls at the finish. Event awards will take place at 7pm followed by a beach bonfire and live music.
"If you want to try something new and quintessentially Kiwi the Sun to Surf ticks all the boxes," Cameron said.
"For anyone interested in a fitness challenge or having an authentic event experience, come down to the beautiful Bay and make a weekend of it."
All finishers of the inaugural event will receive limited edition medals.
Entries will open on Monday November 19 from 7pm with the first 250 entrants given a guaranteed Early Mover best price.