Event to row away the blues
As the final rower neared the end of the 42.2-kilometre endurance event, people clapped and yelled out encouragement.
Running a marathon is tough and, as participants in the Row Away the Blues event in Christchurch on Saturday showed, rowing one is too.
Held as a fundraiser for Purapura Whetu – a free health service helping Ma¯ ori families, focusing on youth mental health – the event involved 30 rowing machines being set up under marquees in Hagley Park.
Of the 120 people who took part, nine did the full marathon, organiser Wayne Amour said. He was among them, finishing the row in 2 hours and 59 minutes, just inside his subthree hour goal. Others competed in teams.
The idea behind the event was to give people something to train together for through the winter, and support a worthwhile cause. Before Saturday, Amour said $20,000 had been raised for Purapura Whetu.
Craig Prier, 57, completed the marathon row in the fastest time of 2 hours and 45 minutes – only about five minutes slower
than the last time he attempted the distance 20 years ago.
‘‘The best thing was getting off the machine and standing up,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s mind over matter. You just need to focus on what you need to do, and have a bit of a plan and stick with it.’’
Emma Gribben, dressed as a glittery unicorn, finished the row in 3 hours 19 minutes. An endurance athlete, Gribben has run marathons and competed in triathlons.
‘‘I’m feeling pretty good,’’ she said after
the row. ‘‘There was music and lots of people around you, so it was just remembering to breathe.’’
Amour organised the event with his partner Danual Cattermoul. Both men work at NZBMA, a healthcare company founded by Amour and his mother, Dawn Amour.
As an added bonus, Wayne Amour said the rowing would be good for his cardiovascular fitness when it comes to swimming Foveaux Strait, a challenge he has planned for next year.