Ready, set, go

Dust off your sneakers and break out the 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 18 across the three routes on offer.
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 that 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 Avantiplus, Mitre 10 Mega Botany, New World Howick, John Russell Schoolwear, Dilmah Tea, June Gray Charitable Trust, Howick Local Board, Stevenson Village Trust, the Athlete’s Foot, and many others.

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.