The Howick Rotary Fun Walk and Run is back for another year, and organisers are hoping the annual community event will be more popular than ever.
It started with only a couple of hundred people in 2005, but last year, around 600 people showed up to run or walk one of three scenic routes.
Walkers or runners can choose from a 5.9km short course, 6.9km intermediate course or an 8.1km extended course.
The track caters for all levels of fitness, said organising committee member Colin Monk, and encourages mum and dad to get along for the run too.
“It’s about promoting a healthy lifestyle. We encourage families to get in the exercise and take their kids in pushchairs and walk with them if they want to walk, or for those who are a bit more enthusiastic, go for a run.”
The Rotary Club of Howick started planning in September for the event, organising sponsors and teams, including Les Mills, Mitre 10 Mega Botany, Times Newspapers, New World Howick, Dilmah, John Russell Schoolwear, The June Gray Charitable Trust, and the Howick Local Board.
All proceeds from the event go to Coastguard Howick, which provides an additional 40 volunteers on the day to help the event run effectively.
“All the costs [of the event] are actually covered by the Rotary Club,” said Mr Monk.
“It’s our contribution toward the community.”
There will be icecream, coffee, a sausage sizzle, spot prizes and “all sorts of goodies” available on the day, as well as a medal for every child who finishes and a prize cup for school teams.
Crawford Medical will also be on hand providing medical assistance.
The event starts at 9:00am on Sunday, March 19, starting and finishing at Stockade Hill.
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.
