by Roger Childs
The annual Kapiti Joggers and Walkers in the Footsteps of the Marines charity event will take place on Sunday 26 May at Whareroa Farm. You can run, jog, race walk or stroll. It is a challenging experience with plenty of ups and downs, but manageable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. To provide hydration along the way there are two drink stations up in the hills manned by the Raumati Scouts.
The two courses (12.2 km and 10.3 km) are in Whareroa Farm and on Campbell’s Mill Road where the U.S. Marines trained in 1942 and 1943. The views from the top are stunning. There is a variety of terrain including unsealed roads as well as clay, grass and bush tracks. Most of the climb is in the first half, and the final 4km comes down through Whareroa Farm, where the Marines’ Camp Mackay was situated.
The courses are well marshalled, taped and coned.
Entries and categories
People can enter for $30 through the enter online site http://www.enteronline.co.nz up until 11.55 pm on Friday 24 May. Entries are also accepted on the day for $35. Registration opens at 8.15 am on Sunday morning at the Whareroa Farm Shelter.
Race Walkers, Social Walkers and Slow Joggers start at 9.30 am, and Runners at 10.00 am. Runners and Race Walkers do the full course, while Social Walkers and Slow Joggers do the shorter course.
Competitors under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult.
The entries have passed the 100 mark, and coordinator John Granville is expecting a final field of over 150. The forecast is good with fine weather and a maximum of 17 degrees expected.
Refreshments, spot prizes, certificates and donations
After the event there is hot soup and a roll for all competitors at the Ramaroa Centre in Queen Elizabeth Park, and as well as picking up a race certificate, they have a good chance of winning from the large pool of spot prizes which have been generously donated by a range of local businesses and members of the Kapiti Joggers and Walkers.
The event is sponsored by The Print Room, Cityfitness and Pak ’n Save.
Money is being raised for various local groups and this year the major recipient will be the Life Education Trust.
For further information, check out the Kapiti Joggers and Walkers new website kapitijoggersandwalkers.org.nz or contact John Granville: johnerg@gmail.com or Jill Hammonds: jill.hammonds@gmail.com