Around 1200 people will hit the pavement this Sunday for the annual ACC Whangarei Half Marathon and 9km Run/Walk organised by Sport Northland.

The half marathon will once again be a hotly contested event with top Northland runners Harry Linford, Ian Calder, Henry Wallace and Tim Goodwin all in the men’s division while Cecilia Vorster and Carolyn Younger look to be likely favourites in the women’s division.

Of note is the increase in numbers in the half marathon section of the event where the runners and walkers will begin the 21.1km course at the Town Basin, head over the Kotuitui Whiti pedestrian bridge and the Te Matau a Pohe bridge and then follow the new pathway along Riverside Drive, through the Waimahanga track to Onerahi before looping back to finish on the Canopy Bridge at the Town Basin.

Sport Northland’s Events Team Leader Azelia Parkinson says it is great to be able to utilise the new walk/cycle way. “The new pathway means the runners and walkers are off the road for a large section of the half marathon which will make it more enjoyable for the participants” she says.

The 9km course which also starts at the Town Basin is also a popular route and will also utilise a great deal of off road tracks. Starting at the Canopy Bridge, the runners and walkers will cross Riverside Drive and head along the Hatea River track to Whareora and Paranui Valley Roads, returning through Mair Park to the start/finish line at the Canopy Bridge.

Sport Northland has coordinated over 100 marshals from numerous organisations to assist on the day. As well as a big team from both Sport Northland and ACC, who have worked closely to ensure the event runs smoothly, marshals have been provided by the Whangarei Athletics Club, No.20 Air Squadron, Northland Olympic Weightlifting Club and Shackleton’s Sea Scouts. The lead bikes for both events will be ridden by staff from Mybike in Whangarei.
Sport Northland’s Business Development Manager Colleen Atchison says an event of this magnitude cannot be staged without the help and support of many partners and sponsors.

“We always require assistance with equipment including road cones and signage and Downers are always there to help us. Likewise sustenance the participants need post event with the bananas from Regent New World and water from the Rapid Relief team.

Great spot prizes will again be on offer from key sponsors ACC, D3, My Bike, Smiths Sports Shoes, Thermatech, Kensington Fitness, EcoNorth, Fullers GreatSights and NorthCloud. As well all Northland adults who compete will go into the Pacific Motor Group draw to win the Mazda2 which will be drawn following the ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon on 19 November.

Photo - A group of runners competing in the 2015 ACC Whangarei Half Marathon