Run to Remember to commemorate earthquake victims’ lives
Heather Templeton lived alone in the bush for seven years.
The retired Christchurch lawyer moved to Boundary Bay in a privately owned pocket of Abel Tasman National Park because she was ‘‘sick of working with men who never accepted [her] and never thought [she] was good enough’’.
During that time the odd person and Department of Conservation rangers came through, but she was often alone. That never bothered her much.
Now back in Canterbury, Templeton is a woman on a fitness mission, hoping to complete several hikes around the Port Hills during winter. She also plans to complete Sunday’s Run to Remember with her daughter, Sarah Hatherly-Roberts, and granddaughter Meg Hatherly-Roberts.
Templeton will be among hundreds of people taking part in the annual 10 kilometre event to commemorate the 185 people who lost their lives during the February 2011 earthquake.
The route takes runners through the Port Hills and offers views across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps.
This year there is also the chance for people to help with the replanting of the area.
Sport Canterbury has donated 185 plants as part of a campaign supporting the restoration of native plants in the Port Hills and its surrounds. They will be planted between Mt Vernon and Huntsbury later this year. ‘‘Our natural environment has a significant impact on sport, recreation and healthy communities,’’ a spokeswoman said.
Templeton, a keen walker and one-time runner, said her inspiration to get back into regular exercise came about five months ago when she started feeling puffed while on a walk in Banks Peninsula.
Since then she has hiked the Rapaki Track most days in a bid to build her fitness back up to its former heights. ‘‘It’s been good but I can’t wait for winter so I can set off on a cold, frosty morning and take in all the sights,’’ she said.
‘‘If you leave at 10am you’ll be back by 3pm on most of the Port Hills walks.
‘‘It’s really opened my eyes to how much there is to do at our backdoor and I’d love to see more money invested into the area.’’
Registrations for the Run to Remember are open. Adult entry is $18, ages five to 16 is $13 and under fives are free.