New Zealand Walk: Tussock Traverse 2016 - tra versing history, culture and stunning land scapes
ARace Director ccording to the locals on Waiheke Island, the challenging 25k event from the “bottom end” of Orapiu to the ferry wharf at Matiatia started in 1992 with around 200 runners and walkers.
That’s 25 years and lots of feet pounding the roads. Now that’s something to celebrate!
Since then roads have improved, new courses have emerged, new distances added and new activities created for the younger members of the family to enjoy. The organisers have replaced postage stamps and envelopes with Facebook posts and email messages.
Gone is the long wait for results to be figured out on the back of a notepad, with almost instantaneous results published on the web for all to see. In the past 10 years over 8,000 people have joined in the fun in the sun each January.
The next event will be on Saturday 16 January 2016 with four distances on offer for runners and walkers – from the almost flat 5k, to the gently undulating 12k, the seriously hilly 13k, and the signature 25k event. A Kids Dash for 6-8 year olds, and a Family Bear Hunt for young families round out the day’s events at Matiatia.
What has not changed is the incredible experience that everyone takes away with them. A central tenet is to do things the “Waiheke Way” and is reflected in the roadside spectators with a cooling water hose or lollies, to the water stations crews in their “Best Dressed” finery playing music.
From the “good old days” of paper
entry forms and a stop watch to time finishers, to now with online entries and tagged timing bibs, every year the wider Waiheke community has supplied around 150 volunteers at registration, as marshalls, at water stations, to set up signs, remove the road cones, take photos, hand out bananas, and generally take care of participants.
Sponsors and spot prize donors have also added to the memories with their long term support of this exceptional community event. Without Fullers Ferries, the experience of travelling on the early morning Fun Run Ferry to the start line at Orapiu for the 25k event would not be possible. Scheduled ferries stop at Matiatia for most visitors. Their experienced crew guarantee a memorable journey to and from the island.
Sport Auckland’s energetic team create a Fun Fair playground full of activities and adventures for the younger family members, with a Kids Dash and the family bear hunt in the trails around Matiatia. The water slide is a favourite! And when everyone has crossed the finish line at Matiatia, musical entertainment by Coast 105.3FM adds to the picnic party atmosphere for all to relax and recover.
All those people means there’s a lot of shared history and a strong desire to be a part of this fun event.
One family to return and compete (yet again!) for the 13k walking title are the cousins Ken and Steve Leitch now challenging their nephew, Sven, to take first place! While Ken lives in Australia, Waiheke Island is where the wider family and friends gather each summer. Ken has been a keen competitive walker for many years. His generous sponsorship of trophies for walkers in all four distances has allowed the walking competition to flourish.
Waiheke Rotary Club and Dolphins Netball have combined their efforts for many years to deliver this exceptional event and to raise funds to benefit the local Waiheke community. Individuals also have the opportunity to go one step further
(pun intended) to benefit two great charities through fundraising while running or walking. The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ works to restore eyesight in the Pacific Region. The island based Jassy Dean Trust supports sick children and their families during difficult times. What better way to cap off your personal achievements on the hills of Waiheke, than to know that your efforts will touch the lives of others?
The organisers hope that many of those who have grown up with the event will return for our 25th Anniversary event – and bring along their children and grandchildren or their friends to come experience the fun of the run in the sun. And if you have never visited this award winning slice of paradise before, now is the perfect opportunity to do so.
To learn more about the affordable entry fees and the discounted ferry fares to join in this Silver Anniversary celebration on Saturday 16 January 2016, visit wharf2wharf.co.nz E: wharf2wharf@gmail.com