More and more people are digging out their running shoes and taking part in the Sport Northland Run Walk Series.
Last weekend a record number of entrants competed in the annual Paihia Run Walk, part of the seven-event series.
Good conditions greeted the 1389 competitors, who walked or ran either the 6km
or the 8km course, which started and finished in the centre of Paihia.
The route, described as one of the most picturesque courses, took competitors up to the Waitangi Golf Course and down through the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
The event has grown substantially from the first event held 10 years ago when 150 competitors lined up.
Since the event became part of the successful Sport Northland Run Walk series the numbers have increased markedly over the past three years.
Although deemed to be non-competitive and with prizes awarded by a random draw, first-time competitor Allister Ackers from Whangarei set a fast pace to win the 8km event. Hard on his heels was the women's winner, Ady Ngawati from Whangarei, who ran strongly.
Second in the men's field was Lyndon Dahlberg, while Whangarei runner Caroline Hyslop was the second woman home in the 8km event with Waipu's Sharon Carroll in third place.
A big drawcard for Northland competitors was an entry in the draw to win a new Mazda 2, which will be drawn at the end of the series.
The next event in the series is the Carters Mangawhai Run Walk on July 4.
To enter go to www.runwalkseries.co.nz, or pick up an entry form from Sport Northland.
