Flocks of people will gather to take their marks at Rays Rest, Kaiaua for the second ever Shorebird Coast Run event on September 14.
For the second consecutive year, the event will see people taking part in the traditional 5km or 10km run along the Hauraki Rail Trail, or step up to the challenge with the new 21.1km half marathon option.
Event organiser Tim Ashby-Peckham told The Profile not only was the Shorebird Coast Run an opportunity for people to get active and learn something new, it was also a way to give back.
Last year the Shorebird Coast Run was able to donate $1000 to the Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre, which advocates for shorebirds with research, habitat restoration and education, he said, and this year they would follow suit and donate part of the proceeds to the centre again.
The Centre is run by the Pūkorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust, who celebrated their 50th anniversary this year.
“Without them we probably wouldn’t know how special the coast and the wildlife that call it home are,” Tim said.
Guided tours would also be available on the day for people who wanted to explore the coast in depth.
While Tim said it was tough to turn people away from the event last year as the capacity was set for 200 people, this year’s Shorebird Coast Run was set to cater for up to 400 participants.
“That’s the good thing about this year. I’m thinking hopefully everyone that wants to do it will get to do it because we have the extra capacity.”
Alongside the general races, there would be a kids race, spot prizes, a bird costume competition, food, ice cream and coffee carts on site.
It was important for Tim to try and keep the event affordable and accessible for people, and he said one of the ways to do that was to make the finisher medals for the racers themselves.
“I’ve become quite proficient at making moulds and plaster casting that I could probably run a bit of a workshop after the event.”
There was something else people could look forward to.
“The Godwits arrive in September and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see them while you’re out there,” Tim said.
“You might even get to see them touch ground for the first time in their nine day journey from Alaska.”
DETAILS: To register for the Shorebird Coast Run on September 14 at Rays Rest, Kaiaua, visit: theshorebirdcoastrun.weeblysite.com. Entry prices are: $79 for 21km, $35 for 10km and $25 for 5km, Kuaka kids game is $5.
