1050 Run and Walk Mizuno Off-Road Events

Kinloch turned on sunny and clear conditions for the over 1050 runners and walkers participating in the Mizuno Off-Road Half and Quarter Marathons on Sunday 4th September 2010.

The first half marathoner home was Matthew Jarvis (Taumarunui) in a time of 1:29.05 over two minutes clear of Paul Davidson (Mt Maunganui) and Taupos Paul Butt (1:31.16)

Annika Smail (Rotorua) made it two from two as the first female to cross the finish line for the second consecutive year in a time of 1:39.09 ahead of Auckland's Kristine Reid and Selina Hughes.

The Half Marathon course is a challenging but achievable track for beginner or more experienced mountain goats starting in Kinloch taking in parts of the W2K track including the Headland Loop track.

"Despite adverse weather conditions around the country, Kinloch produced a magnificent day for our entrants  like its on-road counterpart held last month, the event is about participation and enjoying the course," said Wayne Reardon. Organisers hailed the first annual off-road quarter marathon as a success with over 220 people walking and running the course which took in the Kawakawa Bay and Whangamata Stream tracks.

Proceeds from the event go to the Taupo Half Marathon Society which provides grants for young local sporting stars - a donation is also made from the event to Bike Taupo for the maintenance of the track.

Organisers estimate that over 250 people participated in the 63.3 Challenge of three half marathons in three months, being the Brooks Off-Road Mt Tauhara event and the two Mizuno Half Marathons.

Keen runners and walkers should mark their diaries now  the 2011 Mizuno Half Marathon will take place on 7th August and the Off-Road one will be on 3rd September. For more information about the Mizuno Half Marathon and the Mizuno Off-Road Half Marathon, go to www.taupohalfmarathon.org.nz Image: Start line of 2010 Mizuno OR Half Marathon