Fine and warm for quarter marathon

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

It’s time to tighten up those shoelaces for The Gisborne Herald Fun Run and Quarter Marathon on Sunday.

Start time is 9.30am. Online registrations close at midnight tonight, or you can register at Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti, Level One, 74 Grey Street, Gisborne between 9am and 12 midday tomorrow.

On race day, registrations can be made at Marina Park from 8am, cash only.

Entrants can walk, jog or run the 5.6km fun run or 10km quarter marathon. Spot prizes and prizes help make for a fun-filled day. All ages and abilities are welcome to come along and compete on the day.

A new timing system is in place this year and all participants will need to pick up a shoe tag from registration at Marina Park on Sunday morning. This is a quick process, just bring along your race number if you pre-registered.

The race route starts at the bottom of Stout Street and ends at Marina Park, with both short and long courses following the scenic trip around the town centre and out past Pacific Street.

“It’s a lovely scenic route by the river and through the township,” said Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti events adviser Debbie Hutchings.

The Quarter Marathon is a partnership event run by Sport Gisborne, The Hits and The Gisborne Herald. Every year the event supports a local charity which is chosen by The Gisborne Herald and this year is Gisborne Tairāwhiti Alzheimers Society.

Entry costs are $20 for adults, $5 for secondary students (13-18 yrs) and $3 for primary/intermediate student (5-13 yrs). Under 5s are free. Groups with a minimum of 10 adults can register for $150.

Additional entries can be made to groups including secondary, primary or intermediate participants, but to receive the group entry price the minimum of 10 adults must be met.

If you’re waiting to see what the weather is doing, MetService is forecasting a partly cloudy day, a balmy 21 degrees and fresh northwesterlies.