They came, they saw... most conquered

There are almost as many reasons for doing the Kerikeri Half Marathon as there are participants.

Some are simply long-distance enthusiasts, and attend as many such like events as possible. For others, it's a one-off, to challenge themselves, part of a 'bucket list' or because they're on a personal odyssey to become fitter. A further range of participants are there for ulterior albeit noble, motives, to fundraise for charity.

Falling into that latter category were Whangarei friends Jacque Piggott and Sana Shimi, who crossed the finish line on Kerikeri Domain shortly after lunchtime arm in arm. They were soon surrounded by a large group well-wishers who, Sana explained, were all part of the Do it for Dougie team from Whangarei, 14 family and friends aged from 13 to 59 who were motivated to take on this year's event as a tribute to the late Ian Douglas, a long-distance enthusiast who completed 100 marathons before passing away last year. The group raised a substantial amount of money for hospice.

"We talked the whole way," laughed Jacque afterwards, and appearing none the worse for the experience. "The only time when we didn't was when one of us had to duck behind a bush."

Among the crowd were several doing their first ever half marathon, including blind Dargaville powerlifter, Ming Ming Edgar, who was accompanied by strong support crew including Janice Clement, Kim Duder and Sue Patterson. Particularly proud for the 24-year-old's achievement, Janice said, "He did it because he wanted to do it. He talked the whole way," said Janice, adding the quartet finished around the 3 hour 20 minute mark: "We set a good pace."

Then there the experienced campaigners, like 84-year-old Ngaire Norton who was completing her seventh consecutive Keri half marathon in the hybrid division (e.g. runner/ walker), arriving in 3 hours 27 minutes and accompanied by a four-legged escort, namely daughter and son-in-law, Philippa and John Robson. The Whangaroa octogenerian still looked like she had a spring in her step afterwards: "It was great, I had support," she explained.

Daughter Philippa also complimented the organisers: "It was very well run, and great to have the walkers start after the runners," while husband John noted the family's traditional outing to the Far North served more than one purpose: "Can't wait to hit the local vineyard for lunch!"

Conditions on the day were fine, overcast at times and near windless, almost too fine for the middle and tail-gunners in the pack who finished in the hottest time of the day and who would have been grateful for any patch of light cloud passing overhead. Naturally, dehydration and heat exhaustion claimed several casualties; 2273 finishing out of the 2475 runners, walkers and one wheel racer who had signed on by cut-off the previous weekend.

This year's Kerikeri half marathon - the seventh and, by far, most popular of the Sport Northland run walk series - raised $16,000 for official charity, the Cancer Society. First past the post was Auckland lawyer Sasha Daniels who ran the course down in one hour, 14 minutes and 18 seconds, seven seconds ahead of 2013 men's series champion, 18-year-old Harry Linford of Whangarei.

The best women's time was by Aucklander Rebecca Forlong in 1.21:33; the fastest walkers were Whangarei's Alan Connelly in the men's in 2.13:14 and Caroline Henwood in 2.26:03 of the women; while the Corporate Challenge was won by Kerikeri's New World Flyers. Kerikeri locals secured two of the three major spot prizes at the prizegiving, the $1000 cash going to Natalie Todd and Amy Douglas scoring the trip to Fiji, while Aucklander Tracy McKay drew the mountain bike.

And spare a thought for Sport Northland's Hayley Overton who has for the past four years taken on the various and demanding logistics of organising the biggest event - participation wise - on the Far North sporting calendar. Weeks in the planning, Hayley predicted she should have everything wrapped up by Friday.