Don't get saddled with a hot cross bun

AND THEY'RE OFF: The start line last year at the Raetihi Gutbuster event.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

If you are keen on more than a hot cross bun and a chocolate egg, then hop on the bike or pull on your running shoes and head for this year's Raetihi Gutbuster multi-sports event.

Organiser Lucy Conway said she and husband Mike had set up the Easter Sunday event as a community celebration to mark the sealing of the road from Raetihi to Pipiriki.

Five years later, the heat is on with events such as the 50km road ride, the 18km run/walk, the 18km road ride or the 25km road ride.

The day starts at 11am and Mrs Conway said the organisation was still "pretty loose".

"But everyone will have a great time - we'll make sure of that. It's all quite relaxed."

The gutbuster goodie bags are different and a must, she said.

"They are vege goodie bags with carrots, parsnips, swedes and spuds."

The Thunderbirds theme will be the countdown ringing out in Seddon St as the event gets ready to "rock and roll", she said.

And this year gets to celebrate the resealing all over again, she said, "after last year's June floods destroyed the road in three places, cutting off access to Pipiriki and the rest of the Whanganui River Rd".

We just want to see people come into our stunning region and have a crack at the Gutbuster, she said.

Any profits from the event go back to support Raetihi community projects.

She hopes people will dress up.

"We have a prize for the best fancy dress, which is able to be won not only by entrants, but also volunteers and helpers."

Already, well known Raetihi identity Jessie Seaman is baking up a storm for the event.

But at nearly 93 she has made a plea for other locals to help out too, said Mrs Conway.

"She doesn't want to be the only one again supplying baking."

Jessie has lived in Raetihi for nearly 76 years and is a fiercely loyal stalwart of the community and all its people, turning up at every community event with plates of food for one and all.

The event is run entirely by volunteers, Mrs Conway said.

"I think that's what makes it better somehow."