The Shorebird Coast Run fundraiser on August 31 saw courageous folks who braved the bad weather flocking into Rays Rest, Kaiaua for the inaugural event.
Event organiser Tim Ashby-Peckham told The Profile the weather on race morning was wild.
“There was a moment when we were struggling to set up a gazebo and getting drenched, I wondered if anyone would want to show up. But come race time there were 132 people on the tracks,” he said.
For people to wake up on a Saturday morning, look out the window and see what the weather was doing and still show up for the run showed “massive resilience and has earnt my respect”, Tim said.
“And most importantly the people enjoyed themselves out there and are already pledging to come back.”
“We raised $1000 for the Pūkorokoro Shorebird Centre and I could easily see that doubled or tripled in the future,” Tim said.
There was a competition for the best bird costume – but one of the winners, Tamahau Hicks, thought outside the box and became the habitat itself, Tim said.
Tamahau wrapped himself in vines and carried a Pīwakawaka soft toy with him, Tim said.
“He went on to win the bird game race too with the help of guide Kayden Abbott.”
“I really admire his courage to come out and give the game his best despite having a challenging vision impairment,” Tim said.
Tamahau was a runner with the Tauranga chapter of Achilles International New Zealand, which supported runners with disabilities around New Zealand, Tim said.
“I’m so proud of the volunteers, participants and all the people behind the scenes that came together to help make the inaugural Shorebird Coast Run a reality.”
