It’s been four decades since a jogging group was formed at the Pakuranga Athletic Club.
Recently the Joggers and Walkers section of the Pakuranga Athletic Club held a 40th Reunion which was attended by 120 members, past and present.
Guests came from Auckland, Northland, Coromandel, and the Bay of Plenty.
“Much reminiscing, fun and laughter was enjoyed throughout the day and a display of memorabilia added to the occasion,” said Reunion Committee chairperson Linda Mitchell.
Speeches were given by the athletic club’s president Mike Trathen, Joggers and Walkers chair Rosalea Dun and Mitchell.
Due to catching Covid just before the event, Sandra Anderson who was the group’s founder and chairman from 1982 to 1985, was unable to attend. Anderson’s speech was read out by the master of ceremonies Bill Carlaw.
Founded in 1982 by Sandra and the late Carol Healey (two harrier section club members), jogging was then in its heyday.
Initially the idea of the group was to provide company for a small group of women club members training for the Tauranga Marathon.
“Several stay-at-home mums who enjoyed jogging and didn’t want to do this alone, soon joined after an advertisement went in the local paper to meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings,” said Mitchell.
“Sandra said that it wasn’t long before a large group of shift-working men also wished to join in.”
Numbers rapidly grew and by the end of the first year, membership was close to 100.
The decline of jogging towards the end of the 1980s and the influx of women returning to the workforce took its toll on membership. In the 1990s with the introduction of walkers, membership was rebuilt.
A name change from Joggers to Joggers and Walkers was made.
Today the group, a familiar sight around the streets of Pakuranga and Howick on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, has a membership of around 120.
