Get ready to challenge yourself

Council's school sports coordinator Shelley Ashton, in Otaraua Park, with a sign promoting the inaugural Park to Path Run.

It's time to get on your running or walking clothes, lace up your shoes and get ready for the first Park to Path Run.

The free community event spearheaded by council is on Sunday, starting in Otaraua Park, accessed via Lancelot Grove, off King Arthur Drive, Otaihanga.

The event features either a 10km run or 6km walk/run celebrating our parks and recreational paths, including our newest route alongside part of the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway.

Runners taking part in the 10km distance start at 8.30am and head along the Waikanae River trail and onto part of the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway shared path before heading back to the park.

Runners and walkers in the 6km distance start at 9.30am and travel along the Waikanae River to the expressway bridge before heading back to the park.

Official times will be recorded on the day and there'll be coffee carts and food trucks at the park's start/finish line for participants and supporters.

"All ages are welcome and the flat, scenic route should be appealing to a wide range of entrants," council's parks and recreation manager Alison Law said.

"We're grateful to the community who've supported us to get this concept off the ground and to the many sponsors who've made it possible to offer the event at no charge for participants."

Otaki MP Nathan Guy initiated the idea of holding an event that featured running along part of the expressway's shared pathway.

"I was running along the shared pathway and I thought what a great event could occur here.

"A working group was assembled to get the wheels in motion and I'm very excited to see it about to take place.

"I'm grateful for the strong support shown by the council, and hope this is merely the inaugural event.

"There's lots of potential to extend the run in the future and possibly turn it into a half, or even full marathon one day."

To enter Park to Path Run go to www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/parktopath