A Fresh Start in Taupo for Runners and Walkers

Over two and a half thousand runners and walkers were keen to get underway Sunday morning for the 18th annual Mizuno Taupo Half Marathon, with a crisp start to the day.

However the chilly weather didn’t impact on the atmosphere of the dedicated half marathon event with many teams this year dressing up for fun. Event Director Wayne Reardon was pleased with the turnout and says it was another great Taupo half marathon. “18 people completed their 18th Taupo Half Marathon yesterday – this indicates how passionate participants are about our event.”

“Congratulations to all our runners and walkers – another Taupo Half Marathon ticked off! We look forward to seeing you back for 2012,” he said.

Chris Sanson from Bunnythorpe was the first man in with a time of 1 hr 17 mins 12 secs and Rowan Marie Baird from Auckland was the first women in with a time of 1 hr 21 mins 12 secs.

The first Taupo man in was Brandon Lewis and the first Taupo women in was Sonia Hine.

Jason Nottage from Taupo took away the U19 men’s division with Victoria Taylor from Wellington (ex Taupo) taking away the U19 women’s division.

A health and fitness team from Pukekohe called ‘Outlook for Life’ were awarded the ‘Most Visible Team’ prize. The team of 24 wearing black and fluorescent green skirts are regular participants of the Taupo Half Marathon. “We love coming to Taupo for the half marathon. It is an excellent event and this year it was the perfect warm up for our big one next month – the Rarotonga Marathon,” said the group’s spokesperson. Runner Sue Sparrow took away the major spot prize – a trip for two to South Australia including flights, accommodation for four nights in Adelaide and four nights in the Barossa Valley, and a hire car.

Taupo’s 75 year old Jean Scott competed in her first half marathon alongside the Curves Taupo team and was acknowledged at prize giving with a bunch of flowers, chocolates and a bottle of bubbles. “This is the first time I have done anything like this. It was hard work, but really rewarding,” she said. “I think I’m getting a bit old for this caper!”

This year Taupo Fitness Suite Team provided some Les Mills dance moves for runners and walkers beforehand, which proved popular with participants to warm them up and get them motivated for the event.

Following up the Mizuno Taupo Half Marathon next month is the Mizuno Off-road Half and Quarter Marathon which starts and finishes in Kinloch and travels along the W2K track. Runners and walkers can register for this event at www.taupohalfmarathon.org.nz. This year the Quarter Marathon will make up one of the four events in a new challenge – TryTaupo4, a series for those wanting to get off the couch and get active. TryTaupo4 offers achievable distances in four different sporting events in the Taupo region over a six month period.

Proceeds from the Mizuno Taupo Half Marathons are put back into the local community in three different ways. Each year, up to 300 local volunteers provide assistance to help deliver the event and in return receive donations towards their community organisations. The Taupo Half Marathon Society supports local athletes by providing financial grants to help them achieve their sporting goals. Thirdly, a donation is made from the Taupo off-road event to Bike Taupo and the Kinloch Community Association to assist with maintaining the W2K and Whangamata Stream tracks.

Those wanting to apply to the Mizuno Taupo Marathon Sports Fund or for a Mizuno Half Marathon Elite Scholarship should visit www.taupohalfmarathon.org.nz for more information.