The popularity of beach races was underlined on Sunday when hundreds of Kāpiti Coasters took to Paraparaumu Beach for the Kāpiti Rotary Club’s annual Fun Run Day.
The day had even more significance as it coincided with New Zealand Children’s Day.
Kāpiti Rotary President Jim Dryburgh said he was very pleased to see such big numbers turn out for the run.
“The weather was perfect and with well over 300 children running we are very pleased. We are grateful to our sponsors McDonalds and to the parents who have shown their support each year for this event. We had medals for every runner who entered and you could see how pleased the kids were.”
Nearly 350 pupils from local schools raced in three age events.
Winners and place-getters were: Age 5-6 Boys: 1st Kian Deehan (Paraparaumu Beach School); 2nd Tommy McCulloch (Kapanui); 3rd Ted Northcott (Paekākāariki). Girls: 1st Jessica Przychodzko (Kapanui School); 2nd Millee Dusting (Raumati Beach); 3rd Sacha Hibberd (Kena Kena).
Age 7-10 Boys: First Equal; Sam Bence (Kapanui) and Shaun Corfield (Thorndon); 3rd Mathew Rush (Raumati South). Girls: 1st Tegan Binkhorst (Kapanui); 2nd Olivia Kruk (Raumati Beach); 3rd Marie Reid (Kapanui).
Age 11 plus Girls: 1st Kayla Shipp (Kāpiti Primary); 2nd Ruby Dean (Raumati South); 3rd Diana Brouwer (Paraparaumu Beach). Boys: 1st Ballad Woodley-Hanan (Kena Kena); 2nd Nathan Makinson (Kāpiti); 3rd Frans Joubert (Paraparaumu Beach School).
A formal prize-giving and dinner for event winners and their parents will be held at the Kāpiti Rotary Club’s meeting on June 8.
