Inaugural Gumboot Run exceeds expectations
Fun family event supports mental health
The first-ever Bayleys Gumboot Run, held on Saturday, November 4 exceeded the expectations of the organisers. Proceeds go to the Gumboot Friday charity.
The idea for the run, which started by the Whanganui River at Kowhai Park, came from Chelsea Mooyman, manager of property management, and Tessa Karauria, team leader of property management, Bayleys Whanganui.
“We went to a conference a year ago, and Mike King was a guest speaker,” said Mooyman. “He is the founder of Gumboot Friday. He was incredible when he spoke.
“He inspired us, and we wanted to do something to get the community together and raise money and awareness for Gumboot Friday — which provides free counselling for youth in New Zealand. It’s a really good cause, and certainly needed.
“We set a target of $2000 to raise, we exceeded that with $2650. We sold all our tickets for the event and received support from local businesses. We had groups contacting us to see if they could help, it was incredible. We couldn’t have asked for more in our first year.
“We were thrilled to have Mayor Andrew Tripe at the event — he did us the honour of both speaking and cutting the start-line ribbon, to celebrate our first year of this event.”
The “first across the line” winner was Grace Fannin, and the “best dressed” winner was Tania Wilson. Bayleys Whanganui was the major sponsor with many other sponsors and volunteers supporting the event.
The Whanganui Community Drumming group played while participants crossed the finish line, and the band, The Bylaws, also played. The Bartley Health Bus and GMC Chiropractors offered free health and spinal alignment checks.
Sport Whanganui had the kids’ play trailer out, there was a face painter, a free sausage sizzle and a food and drink cart onsite — providing a festival vibe at the finish line. The event finished with a prizegiving, with spot prizes up for grabs.