Sporting chiefs from around the region are lining up to run in the Stadium to Surf race next month, with the added bonus of making some money for their sport.
Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Kinley, Otago Cricket Association chief executive Mike Coggan, Football South chief executive Chris Wright, Otago Hockey Association general manager Rachel Minton-Smith, Basketball Otago chief executive Justin Ludlow, Sport Otago community sport manager Alan Nicholls, New Zealand Rugby League southern zone general manager Steve Martin and Otago Badminton Association president Nathan Pitcher are preparing to run.
The 10km event is organised by Sport Otago, Athletics Otago and the Otago Daily Times and all have come together to give the event a boost and hope it helps people with their own physical fitness. The event is sponsored by The Athlete’s Foot.
The race also includes 3km and 5km versions.
In a new initiative, for each person who signs up for the event with their club, a $1 rebate from their entry will go back into their local regional sporting organisation helping to run their sport.Sports chiefs around the south were keen to get involved and saw the benefits of the run.
Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Kinley said there were many advantages in getting involved in the run.
"The Stadium to Surf run is a great opportunity for rugby players to get some extra pre-season training under their belts. With 3km, 5km and 10km options, this event caters for players of all ages and levels of fitness. Some of our office staff are also on track to take part," he said.
Otago Hockey Association general manager Rachel Minton-Smith said the event had an attraction for all ages.
"The Stadium to Surf is a great family event, with a distance to suit all abilities. It is also a fantastic opportunity for sports clubs to get their teams together for a bit of pre-season fitness and some all-important team bonding," she said.
Otago Cricket Association chief executive Mike Coggan said the event had many attractions.
"I made running and sport a lifestyle choice when I was young. There wouldn’t be too many better places or climates than Dunedin for running. Running not only keeps you from piling on the weight in middle age, it’s a great way to think and dream," he said.
"We’ll be asking all involved in cricket to support the growing Stadium to Surf run. It has the makings of an icon event.’"
The event is on Sunday, March 12 and organisers are hoping for a significant increase on the 1200 runners in each of the past couple of years. The event starts at Forsyth Barr Stadium and finishes f at Hancock Park.
Entries are available online at www.stadiumtosurf.co.nz
