Relay hits the road

Marton to Whanganui Relay runners leaving Marton Park back in 2014

The 85th running of the Wanganui Harrier Club's Marton to Whanganui Relay is beating the pavement again this morning and it is all on for young and old.

As well as the signature jog through the rural course which takes in the Turakina, Whangaehu, and Matarawa Valleys, this year will also have a specialist Under 20's relay, beginning at 12pm.

The main walkers start the day at Marton Park at 7am, with the composite running teams, two person teams, and individual joggers setting off an hour later.

The regular running teams of multiple members will start at 9.30am.

Along the way, they will pick up the Under 20's relay, who join in around the wool shed on the flat at Kauangaroa Rd.

As will last year for the seniors, the longest of the 10 lap sections is the 8.90km moderate climb from Makohau Rd and the changing point at the Turakina Valley Rd junction.

The hardest section is lap 4 - from Mangara Stream it is gravel road running, then a 1.5km climb to reach Mangatipona Rd, then a solid climb of 2km on the trek towards Whanganui.

As always, the 66.37km event will finish at the Wanganui East Club on Wakefield St.

Last year there were 254 competitors, many coming from harrier clubs in Trentham, Napier, Feilding and Hutt Valley among others.