Peak funding finds additional cause

Peak Trailblazer entrants in Tainui Reserve, Havelock North. Photo / File

The organisers of the sixth annual Peak Trail Blazer event set to be staged in November will be spreading the funds raised further across the community.

While the Te Mata Peak-based event was set up as a fundraiser for Havelock North Primary School, as well as one community charity, it has now added another recipient to the list.

"We have always donated back to the community since year one but this time we're really happy to be able to offer both the Te Mata Park Trust and the Heretaunga Women's Centre 20 per cent each of the funds we raise," race director Jo Throp said. In the past five years, the event has raised $20,000 for the community.

Heretaunga Women's Centre chairwoman Genevieve Beech said the organisation was grateful for the support.

"The centre is dependent on the generosity of our community to remain open and provide services for local women in need."

Entries for the event, which drew about 600 participants last year, opened this week.

Ms Throp said as was the case last year, there would be $500 up for grabs for the fastest male and female on the 12.8km Te Mata Peak trail, while two new prizes had been added in the form of the "Prince and Princess" of the 3.5km Tainui Trail. The under-11 winners of that event would each receive $150 ASB bank accounts.

While the event was not solely about speed, a growing number of people wanted to stake a place on the Hall of Flames board which showed the names of those who completed the main course in under 60 minutes.

"For some of us not geared up for speed it's hard to believe 49 people already have their names up there," she said, adding 22 of them were from last year.

The course record of 50 minutes 54 seconds was set in 2012 by Graham Bee.

Kristian Day, last year's winner of the Rod McDonald Wines King of the Peak, and Hawke's Bay Orthodontics Queen of the Peak Ruby Muir will be back to defend their titles.

Mr Day posted 51 minutes 41 seconds and will be aiming to be the first person to break the 50-minute barrier.

-Information about the November 15 event can be found on info@peaktrailblazer.co.nz