PUFFED BUT CHUFFED: Lynne Phillips and Liz Stockley cheer themselves past the finish line at Clive. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN
Some strolled, some raced but all Country2Coast entrants were jubilant to cross the finish line.
The sun shone on more than 600 runners, walkers and cyclists as they made their way to Farndon Park in Clive.
There were a lot of hugs, smiles and high-fives as people completed the Hawke's Bay Today event yesterday.
A mother-and-son team picked up the pace as the end neared.
Bridget and 10-year-old Kane Chilton had a "fantastic day" but struggled early on in the heat.
"I wasn't expecting it to be so hot, Kane had to stop for water a few times," said Ms Chilton.
The pair soon found their groove and started making their way past the pack.
"Kane wanted to pick up the pace so we ended up passing quite a few groups towards the end," she said.
He was happy to have finished the 15km walk in just over two hours but after finishing all he could think about was food.
"I'm pretty keen for some chicken and chips now," he said.
Napier's Barry Pulford has been entering the event for several years because he loves the picturesque trails.
The 64-year-old completed the 15km walk in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 49 seconds.
"I've done a few walks before but really enjoy this one as it's all on the flats. It was a perfect day for it," he said.
Graeme Buscke comfortably won the Hillmac Electrical half-marathon in 1h 18m 24s.
The first woman to cross the line was Karen Toulmin in 1h 25m 36s.
The 8km McDonald's fun run was won by Zach Manning in 35m while Shannon Caldwell of Central Hawke's Bay dominated the 15km with a time of 53m 37s.
The president of the Havelock North Rotary Club, Stephen Randal, said it had been another very successful event.
"We couldn't have had better weather, we have got a great crowd, it's all gone very well. It's great that we had so many people take part."
Is this the role that every other NZ town and city should consider?