New Mangawhai run-walk course a firm favourite

The event previously known as the Hot Printz Mangahwai Heads 2 Hub had a complete revamp on Sunday April 9, with a brand new course design, which proved to be a winner.

This year the Hot Printz Mangawhai Run/Walk started and finished at the Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park.

Participants ran or walked approximately 1–2km (depending on the distance they chose) on the sand along the estuary, giving them an opportunity to experience the beauty that Mangawhai has to offer.

The event saw over 540 competitors take part in either the 4.5km or 8.5km loop course in this the second event in the 2017 Sport Northland Run/Walk Series.

Harry Linford (Whangarei) and Maria Akkeson (Kerikeri) were well clear of the rest of the field in their respective categories in the 8.5km event.

These two wins have given both runners a clear lead on the NorthCloud Leaderboard which tracks points following each event in the series.

Linford was followed home by another Whangarei runner, Chris Mills, with Louis Young (Warkworth) next home.

In the women’s division, second home was Anna Spence (Whangarei) with Katie McVerry (Whangarei) the next runner home.

First place in the men’s 4.5km event in 16.30 went to Rhys Colmer (Whangarei). Whangarei runner Levi Cohen was second home ahead of Charlie Bacon from Poroti.

In the women’s division Teresa Tattersfield took line honours in 21.33 with Holly Hilton-Jones and Murphy Phillips (all from Whangarei) close behind.

All Northland adults who competed earned an entry into the draw to win the Mazda 2 from Pacific Motor Group which will be drawn after the final event in the series, the ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon, on November 18.

Katie McVerry was also the lucky winner of the major spot prize of a Merida mountain bike from My Bike Whangarei, along with Kathy Newman walking away with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet from Northcloud.

BIG STEPS: The waterfront along Mangawhai Estuary was a welcome diversion for runners and walkers of all ages.