"The teams were from a really wide cross section of people this year - which shows us that more people want to be involved with the White Ribbon message."
The teams of four were made up of representatives from local businesses and community groups, such as Work and Income, Masterton New World, Whaiora, Masterton Girl Guides, Bully Free Me and Masterton Police, whose team "The Blue Barons" took second place.
Notable performers included a team from Karn's Crossfit, who pushed a sled loaded with weights to the finish line, and the Pathways team, who decked themselves out in pirate regalia.
The Like Minds, Like Mine team "Oliver's Army" scooped the "best dressed" award, with their purple painted faces, curly purple wigs and Santa hats.
The runners made the dash from "Russian Jack Square" down to the corner of Perry St, and were cheered on by a large crowd.
A community barbecue was held before the race, which was attended by a group of Wairarapa police cyclists, who has participated in an endurance ride from Wellington to raise awareness of the White Ribbon message.
Stopping Violence Services clinical leader Kay Wilton said she was heartened to see a growing number of men participating in the race each year.
"About seven years ago, we did a White Ribbon march down Queen St, and there were only a handful of us - and we were all women," she said.
"So, it's definitely grown since then."
