Stunning Weather for the 19th Mizuno Taupo Half Marathon

Contrary to poor weather predictions, the sun was shining on the two thousand runners and walkers who took part in the 19th Mizuno Taupo Half Marathon yesterday.

Event Director Wayne Reardon says it was another very successful Taupo event and there was a great atmosphere out there on the course.  “17 people completed their 19th Taupo Half Marathon today and 47% of our runners and walkers did it for the first time.  It’s fantastic organising an event like this where everyone has a great time and the proceeds go back into the Taupo community.  Congratulations to everyone who took part and we are looking forward to seeing everyone back again next year on Sunday 4th August for the 20th anniversary.”

Darren Meredith from Auckland was the first man home with a time of 1 hr 19 mins 26 secs and Emma Rough from Napier was the first women in with a time of 1 hr 31 mins 02 secs. 

Josh Kenyon from Taupo took away the U19 men’s division with Victoria Taylor from Wellington (ex Taupo) taking away the U19 women’s division for the second year in a row.

The Mizuno Taupo Half Marathon always attracts a wide range of ages.  This year the youngest competitor was only 10 years old with the oldest being 85.

A group of Breast Cancer survivors from the Bay of Plenty called ‘Boob-bob Babes’ were awarded the ‘Most Visible Team’ prize.  The team of 13, back for their second year, were wearing interesting t-shirts showing off bikini bodies.  “Despite the weather last year we love the Taupo Half Marathon and it’s a great winter training event for the dragonboating season.”  Walker Sarah Wiwarena took away the major spot prize – a trip for two to China including flights, accommodation for five nights and a tour of the Great Wall of China.  She was delighted, “I’ve been all over the world but never to China so this was an amazing surprise.”

Taupo local Vern McPhail started at the back of the pack and raised $1 for every person he passed for the Alzheimer’s Society.  Also a cheque was awarded to the Lake Taupo Hospice Trust (the events official charity) for $1,500 which was collected via online donations. 

Following up the Mizuno Taupo Half Marathon next month is the Mizuno Kinloch Offroad Challenge and for the first time, a full marathon option will be available to complement the quarter marathon and half marathon distances.  The event travels along the W2K track and the new marathon will also travel along the brand new Great Lake Trail.  Runners and walkers can register for this event at www.taupohalfmarathon.org.nz.   Early Bird entries will be open until Friday 10th August with the Early Bird prize draw winner receiving a $500 prize pack from Mizuno.

Once again the Half Marathon option will make up the third event in the Taupo 63.3 Challenge and the Quarter Marathon option will make up one of the four events in the TryTaupo4 series.

Every year, proceeds from both the Mizuno Taupo Half Marathon and the Mizuno Kinloch Offroad Challenge are put back into the local community in three different ways.  Up to 300 local volunteers provide assistance to help deliver the events 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.  Lastly, a payment is made from the Offroad 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.