Gumboot throwers to gather at Taihape for madcap event

GO THROW: Demetrius Taputero shows his overarm gumboot throw at a previous Taihape Gumboot Day.

Head for Taihape on March 12 if you're into catching eggs, tossing gummies, stumbling along in a sack or want to be tied to your mate in a running race.

Organiser Michelle Fannin said Taihape Gumboot Day offered "a taste of a great slice of life in a small Kiwi town".

The 31st year of Gumboot Day starts at 10am in Taihape's Memorial Park with a variety of fun events lined up, she said

They include gumboot plank racing with two planks laid side-by-side, and two pairs of gumboots on each plank, so four competitors get to slip into the gummies and stride out.

Then there is straw bale stacking, sack racing and popular egg throwing and catching.

Tossing the gumboot starts at 10am, with most entrants hoping their throw will get them into the North Island gumboot-throwing champs at 2pm.

"It's all about having a thoroughly fun and mad day," Ms Fannin said.