Runners heading for Orewa

Runners will pour into Orewa this weekend, for the finale of the MTF Get Moving Festival.

The finale, on March 22, includes Orewa’s new half marathon, the Orewa Summer Half – entries for this were around 300 and growing, early in March.

The MTF Get Moving Festival has seen hundreds run or walk in events in Warkworth, Stanmore Bay and Gulf Harbour over summer.

The series, which was first held in 2017, is all about participation – everyone receives a medal on finishing. The idea was to create a series that would inspire people to get out and active, and to promote and improve both physical and mental health.

On March 22, as well as the half marathon (21km), there will be four other events in the series finale – the 1km Kids’ Dash, as well as 2.5km, 5km and 10km options.

All courses start and finish just to the south of the Orewa Surf Lifesaving Club, and incorporate Orewa Beach, and Te Ara Tahuna – the Orewa estuary walk and cycleway.

The series is organised by Maree Leith and David Kayes. Maree and David say they are looking forward to the final event, as it is the first time a half marathon has been an option since the series began.

Online entries for the MTF Get Moving Festival finale close on Saturday March 21, at 12 noon, but late registrations will still be taken on the day.

Info: getmovingfestival.co.nz

Hibiscus Matters is a proud sponsor of the festival.

Update: The grand finale of the MTF Get Moving Festival postponed

The grand finale of the MTF Get Moving Festival, which was to take place in Orewa on Sunday, March 22, has been postponed. The event included a Half Marathon that had more than 300 runners signed up to take part but less than 500 people were expected overall. However, organisers David Kayes and Maree Leith say they made the call to postpone in the community’s interests. “While we are both very disappointed in making this decision, we also feel this is the right one and hope that this also meets our sponsors and partners own values,” the organisers say. “Our goal is to still put on this event later in the year.”