A coastal challenge for Omokoroa

Mitch, Baxter, and Keaton Rose running to raise funds for sport pavilian in Omokoroa. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Five-year-old Keaton Rose and brothers Mitch, 6, and Baxter, 8, will be run, run, running around Omokoroa next weekend to drum up funds for their community's plan to build a sport pavilion.

The trio's mother Simone Rose is co-organising this year's BaseUp Omokoroa Coastal Challenge on Saturday, November 5 along with Catherine McDonald and Monique Geraghty.

Simone says last year's BaseUp Omokoroa Fun Run, run by Monique and Catherine, was so well received they've decided to make it bigger and better this year – and made possible by a bunch of generous sponsors.

'Now we have a bit more of a serious event – we have duathlon, a 10km run, a 5km run/walk or a 2km run-walk option,” says Simone, who is a new local resident.

'So there is something for everyone – whether you are a walker, runner or cyclist.”

There is a Friday night registration and race pack collection at Omokoroa Domain on November 4 from 6pm-6-30pm. And race-day registrations at Omokoroa Domain from 7am-7.30am, with racing starting 8am.

And like a match made in heaven, the Omokoroa Coastal Challenge is supporting the Omokoroa Sports & Recreation Society's plan to build a sports pavilion at Western Ave Sportsground.

The new pavilion is planned to replace the old hall on-site that has no toilets, changing facilities or kitchen facilities to service the 18 groups under the society's umbrella using the building for indoor or outdoor sports.

'The three of us organising this event have all got young children and we know they will be using the planned sports pavilion for Western Ave sportsground – whether it's through soccer, rippa, athletics – as well it being a facility needed by all of the existing people in Omokoroa,” says Simone, whose children already attend athletics and soccer there.

'So we just saw it as the most worthy recipient of this year's fund raised the funds raised this year.”

'It really does fit our event, because the pavilion is a very much-needed facility for the growing community we have on the peninsula. So yes, it's a great cause.”

Simone says 274 people signed up for the BaseUp Fun Run last year – this time round they're hoping more will enter the BaseUp Omokoroa Coastal Challenge.

'The fact we have more options to compete in this year means we'd definitely like to see more than 300 enter.”

The 2km walk/run starts 8am, the 5km walk/run at 8.45am, the 10km run at 8.40am, and the duathlon – entry age is 10 years upwards – at 8.30am, with prizegiving at 11am.

Prizes include holiday accommodation, trampoline park passes, restaurant vouchers, a GoPro camera and much much more.

Simone says there will be heaps of entertainment for families and spectators, including a More FM crew, playdough for the littlies, face painting, bumper balls; and Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving will promote water safety and accept registrations for the upcoming nippers' season.

Plus there will be a coffee cart, a sausage sizzle, shaved ice treats and The Mussel Man delicacies.

'It kicks off down at Omokoroa Domain – obviously the 10km run and cycle loop take in a lot more – and it's just a beautiful circuit all around the peninsula.”

The BaseUp Omokoroa Coastal Challenge is on Saturday, November 5, from 8am-11.30am at Omokoroa Domain. Register online at: runrunrun.co.nz

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