Big fields in 33rd week of running

After a week of running, local athletes can take a well earned rest and run their trainers through the washing machine.

Eighty-eight runners took part in the Round Raro Road Race including about 28 local runners. Local girl Vanessa Palmer was the first woman home and American Greg Gustafson took out first place.

The Round Raro Relay saw a massive upsurge of participation from schools, prompting RRRR winner Greg Gustafson to say that it was like a return to the numbers of kids seen running in the 1980s and 1990s.

The final event of the week, the Nutters coast to coast run, saw 48 participants sweating it out to climb over the top of the island on the Cross Island track, including eight-year-old Liam Teura and 16-year-old Jacob Pynenburg, who put in an incredible performance and was placed eighth overall.

Organisers did an excellent job, once again making the 33rd annual week of running a huge success.