Howick Rotary Fun Walk and Run – ready, set…

Dust off your running shoes and break out the – possibly green – activewear because the Howick Rotary Fun Walk and Run is back for another year!

It started with only a couple of hundred people in 2005, but this year around 600 people are expected to take to the streets on Sunday March 17 – St Patrick’s Day – across the three routes on offer.

Howick Rotary organising committee member Colin Monk says the event is a great way to get the whole family involved in keeping fit and healthy.

The tracks cater for all levels of fitness – walkers or runners can choose from a 5.9km primary course, a 6.9km intermediate course, or an 8.1km extended course, with five water stations available on the way.

Mr Monk says the event creates a friendly rivalry between local primary and intermediate schools who compete to be crowned the winning school — and this year, with more schools entered than ever, that rivalry is sure to increase.

With spot prizes on offer (the best selection ever, says Mr Monk) and a delicious sausage sizzle on completion, there’ll be no shortage of motivation to finish. Each participating child will also receive a medal at the finish line.

All courses start and finish on Stockade Hill, so participants can soak up some post-run (and walk) views.

Sponsors this year include The Bike Ride, Mitre 10 Mega Botany, New World Howick, Dilmah Tea, Chenery Memorial Trust, Howick Local Board, the Athlete’s Foot, and many others. One additional feature this year is a raffle run by Howick Rotary’s organising committee to add to the fundraising activity, the main prize of which is an hour’s ride in a DeLorean – the car made famous by the “Back to the Future” film trilogy.

Mr Monk also recognised the support provided by the Howick Local Board, as part of their keep healthy initiatives. The board provide funds to assist in the running costs.

All proceeds go to the Howick Coastguard, and the Rotary Club of Howick covers all the costs associated with running the event. The more participants, the greater the amount raised for the Coastguard.

• The Howick Fun Walk and Run will be held at Stockade Hill on Sunday March 18 at 9am. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children and $10 for school teams of four, and registration can either be done at http://howickfunwalkrun.co.nz/ or by entering on the day.