Fun vibe to annual 90 Mile marathon

All preparations are in hand for this year's 22nd Te Houtaewa Challenge on 90 Mile Beachtomorrow and organisers of the annual event say it is shaping up to be another great day of events.

The Challenge gets under way in usual fashion shortly after dawn when the 60km ultra-marathon run/walk leaves the Bluff at 7.30am, followed by the 42km marathon run then the 21km walk/run at different starting points further south along the beach.

The 6km beach walk will again be organised by Sport Northland and this year will fundraise for Far North Hospice in Kaitaia. This event features a fancy dress theme, with organisers encouraging everyone to let their imagination run wild.

Entry for the 6km walk is $10 per person and will be donated back to Far North Hospice. Also for the second year, cycling races will take place over 20, 40km and 60km distances.

The finish line for all events is at Paripari Domain in Ahipara where spectators and participants will find a village atmosphere with stage entertainment, stalls, ki-o-rahi, hangi, art exhibition, a kite-making competition and kite flying, a sand sculpture competition, ta moko, face painting, weaving, pottery and other activities.

As usual, event organisers noted there was plenty to see and do in what has come to be a big family day out on the west coast and encouraged everyone from the wider community to take part.

In previous years many runners competing in the ultra-marathon have come from overseas, especially Australia, the UK, US, Canada, France and Germany.

Te Houtaewa Challenge is said to be the world's only ultra-marathon run entirely on sand.