An increase in sponsor support for the third Multiple Steps fundraiser in Napier has put an extra spring in the step of its organisers with more than a fortnight to go before the big walk and run.
Multiple Steps was first staged by Multiple Sclerosis Hawke's Bay in 2012 as a walk or run up and back down the steps of Mataruahou, the Napier hill, and will be held this year on October 29.
The event will start at 6pm from a parking area near the corner of Browning and Herschell St.
Organisers expected about 70 people in the first event but had 124 and raised more than $1200, encouraging the organisation to make it an annual event, and finish at the foot of the Madeira Steps. It ranged from leisure walkers to accomplished athletes, including harrier Mark Speakman who traversed eight sets of steps and the streets in 26m 54s.
It is now divided into a 10km gut-buster and a 5km fun run/walk, says new HBMS administrator Nicola Brown.