Rotary Club of
Waiheke Island, NZ, members are immersed in preparing for the 24th
annual Fullers Waiheke Wharf2Wharf fun run & walking event on Saturday January 17, 2015.
There’s still time before the start gun to get into training for this infamous
hilly course across Waiheke Island and join with hundreds of others on a fun
filled day for the entire family.
New events
have been added, courtesy of Sport Auckland, to allow even the youngest
athletes to participate at Matiatia including: a Kid’s Dash for 6 to 8 year
olds; a Family Bear Hunt for 3 to 9 year olds who have to take Mum or Dad along
to help solve the clues; and a Fun Fair Playground to help young children
develop balance and cognitive skills. Chairperson of the organising
committee Marcus Mackenzie says that children should expect to see Bobby Banana
having fun on the cooling water slide, or a paw paw mascot sharing water and
fruit at the finish line, provided by new sponsor Dole NZ. Every
finisher will get to take home a pineapple too.
Also new this
year is the switch from a 7 km to a 5 km race, starting at Surfdale beach which
will allow the young guns to get in a good sprint with Mum or Dad working hard
to keep up with them on the flat start to the course. The hilly 13 km
from Orapiu to Onetangi and the slightly flatter 12 km from Onetangi to
Matiatia offer enough challenge for the majority, and may be the perfect
opportunity to fundraise for one of the two official charities associated with
the event. The Fred Hollows Foundation is well known to Rotarians for the
work they perform in the Pacific region restoring sight. Locally based
charity, the Jassy Dean Trust, is perhaps better known for its annual Garden
Safari in November. This year their efforts are focussed on supporting Melana
House which provides services to differently-abled children and their families.
For the
serious runners, the signature 25 km will see fast and furious pace being set
in the men’s race. Race Director Ann Brown expects that there will be
strong competition for that coveted first place cash prize. Ann is also
looking forward to a fast paced ladies race this year, led by Ironman and
Marathon runner, Lesley Turner Hall. With 37 marathons and 7 Ironman
events completed in the past 12 years, Lesley will be using the Wharf2Wharf
course as a training outing for her 2015 ambitions.
Every distance
offers walk options, and 2015 sees the return of cousins Ken and Steve Leitch
in 2015 competing once more for champion bragging rights against nephew
Sven. Whether or not your aim is to be in to win, walking the courses
showcase superb views of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf and it is a fantastic
opportunity to enjoy Waiheke Island at its summertime best.
Keeping the
race affordable is a priority for the organisers, with discounted ferry fares,
low cost junior entry fees and early bird deals for those who like to save a
few dollars. No matter when you sign up, know that your dollars help the
Rotary Club of Waiheke Island continue its support of invaluable community
groups and projects and the Dolphins Netball club sustain its programmes.
Both organisations invest a lot of time and effort in offering the event, so
that what goes around comes around, in true Waiheke spirit.
