Runners race train as event gets back on track
KINGSTON’S Race the Train event was full steam ahead on Saturday as scores of runners and their families turned out to take on the Kingston Flyer.
The race originally ran in 2012 and 2013 but was stymied when the historic train was taken out of action after its owner died in early 2014.
Living proof of the race’s long hiatus is 10yearold Ted Ceci, who was 8 months old the first time he was in the event with his parents Tim Ceci and Esther Whitehead.
‘‘Ten years ago, I was in a pram . . . it’s a bit harder this year.’’
Ted had also broken his wrist the day before, but he did not let that stop him running the 12km race alongside his father.
Ms Whitehead, who is also a Queenstown Lakes district councillor, ran further ahead.
‘‘I absolutely adore this event. I wish it happened more than once a year,’’ Ms Whitehead said.
Runners had the choice of either a 24km race from Kingston to Fairlight and back, a 12km race from Fairlight to Kingston or a 5km race starting from Kingston, and they ran on a trail next to the train tracks.
Organiser Adrian Bailey said the turnout on the day was ‘‘great’’ but looked forward to next year when ‘‘hopefully’’ there could be some relief from the Covid19 situation, which had probably stifled numbers.
‘‘There’s been such a buzz of excitement here with the local community embracing the event
‘‘It would have been nice to have a few more travelling from further afield . . . [but] we did have people travel a reasonable distance to come today to be part of the event,’’ Mr Bailey said.
About a quarter of the runners beat the train to the finish line.