By Yvonne West
There was a family picnic atmosphere at Botanics on Saturday afternoon as runners and walkers, young and old, gathered for the opening event of Waimea Harriers and Athletics Nelson’s 2021 Winter Running Programme.
On a bright sunny afternoon, 56 adults and 18 enthusiastic children took off from the grassy field up into the trails around the Centre of New Zealand.
The children peeled off from the adults after running together initially, and had their own 1km course, which older children went around twice.
The adults continued on into the Maitai Valley and up the relentlessly climbing, winding track to the top.
They were rewarded with a downhill section before starting to climb up again for their second lap.
Andre Bonny was the fastest male runner and Angela Leck the fastest female in respectively fast times of 28.52 and 32.08 mins.
The fastest walker was John Llewellen.
Mia Townley, a junior, who chose to run the adult course finished in a very commendable time of 32.55 mins.
Charlotte Lawlor led the one-lap runners home with Bella Cain Townley the fastest of the two-lap runners.
The next event will see a trail run at Rabbit Island, with distances to suit all ages and abilities, walkers and runners.
