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Huge event on the Northland sporting calendar
posted: 22 November 2011 Sport Thought ... with Brent Eastwood
It’s that time of year again – time for one of the biggest, if not the biggest, participation event on the Northland sporting calendar – the Fullers Great Sights Kerikeri Half Marathon.
Sport Northland is once again delighted to be organising this iconic Northland event – one that was first held back in 1990 by the Kerikeri Striders Club, and who still own the event today. It became so popular, however, that it just became too big for their volunteers to organise, and they set about looking for other operators.
Sport Northland had operated an events division in its business since the mid-90s, and so it was natural that an agreement was reached between the two organisations – the result being that Sport Northland has run the event since 2001.
It’s a massive undertaking to organise the event, which attracts over 2300 participants (and probably that again in supporters) into a fairly small town in the mid-north. Approximately half of those people are from outside Northland, with the majority of these visitors to the north staying for the whole weekend – it has been estimated that the event generates well over $2m for the Bay of Islands community over the one weekend.
And what a fantastic day the Kerikeri business owners put on with their Street Party. It is well worth sticking around for – a closed street and all sorts of food, beverage and entertainment on offer to cater for everyone. This is a free event and runs from 5-9pm on Saturday night.
The half marathon is, of course, part of Sport Northland’s national award winning run/walk series of 7 events that starts in March with the Chilltech Beach 2 Basin and ends with the half marathon. Over 8000 entries are received for the series, and Sport Northland has been very successful in attracting a large amount of inactive Northlanders to the events – some even starting for the first time in March and ending with the satisfaction of completing the half marathon in November!
A big thanks to Fullers, Pacific Motor Group (who will again be giving a car away to one lucky Northlander following the completion of the series) and all our other sponsors for their support in putting on the series – you truly are great supporters of Northland sport. And a big thank you to the Sport Northland team who do such a great job prior, and on, the big day.
And while Sport Northland does not condone those that run the event while eating 21 pies, it is great to see so many different reasons why people compete in the half marathon – the challenge, to lose weight, to improve your time, to have a great time, to enjoy the outdoors at this time of year or simply just to stay active.
My family will be competing this year, which means I have been forced into it also – not a great example to undertake a half marathon with very little training, but it should be fun just taking it easy!
Lastly, to all the other competitors who are entered on Saturday, all the best for a great day – see you on the course and may the wind be with us!
Sport Thought ... with Brent Eastwood :: back :: |
