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More than 900 runners took part in this year’s Cargo Plus Coastal Challenge – a chance to run, walk, wade, swim and rock hop along the coastline.
The event was held on Saturday, February 27, just squeaking in ahead of lockdown the next day.
There were a number of courses of different lengths to suit all abilities, the longest being the Full Monty, which covered 33km from Arkles Bay to Devonport.
This year, 90 runners were entered in the individual Full Monty race, which was won by Millwater’s Jared Pouwhare, in a time of 3hrs 36mins.
The 29-year-old only recently began doing multisport events and says the idea of 33km of rock running was “quite intimidating”.
“I’ve been training for a half ironman, but not on this kind of terrain,” he says.
He entered at the last minute and says it was an awesome day and more technical than he had expected.
“I’ll be back next year for sure,” Jared says.
First female Full Monty runner home was Mari Manger in 4hrs 30mins.
Race director Mark Fordham of Total Sport says 940 participants is the highest number for many years.
He says although the event always starts at high tide, this year the tide was slightly higher than usual which added to the fun – and the challenge.
A highlight for him was that more than $30,000 was raised for Harbour Hospice through teams obtaining sponsorship, online donations, a sausage sizzle and marshalling.
Next year will be the 20th running of the Coastal Challenge and Mark says there will be a number of ‘extras’ to mark the occasion. He says they are working on a 50km ultra marathon option for next February, which is likely to take in both north and south coastlines of Whangaparāoa Peninsula and will also be a fundraiser for hospice.
