After postponement due to bad weather, Hawke’s Bay Airport’s Run the Runway event got underway last Saturday in perfect conditions.
Nearly 200 people registered for the event, the last fixture on the airport’s 60th anniversary calendar, says Nick Flack, CEO Hawke’s Bay Airport.
“Thanks to everyone who was inspired to enter the event. It’s not every day you get the chance to run on the same surface as where planes land.
“The weather couldn’t have been better. Seeing 142 runners charging down the runway – between the last two flights of the day – was a sight to behold and a fantastic way to close out our 60th anniversary celebrations.”
The fastest runner was Robin Moore, who completed the 4km course in less than 13 minutes.
Placings were as follows:
Men
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Women
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1st
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Robin Moore – 12:53
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1st
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Phoebe Crane – 15:05
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2nd
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Jaspar Vowden – 13:03
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2nd
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Anna Williams – 15:21
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3rd
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Aaron Kaijser – 13:20
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3rd
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Samatha Austin – 15:34
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Fun fact: One of the competitors had driven from Taupō for the race. Saturday was his 44th birthday and that morning he had ran 44kms to celebrate, before jumping in the car to run the 4km runway course. By the end of Saturday he had run 48km!
More than $4000 was raised for the Graeme Dingle Foundation, says Nick Flack.
Liz Read, Chair of the Graeme Dingle Foundation Hawke’s Bay says: “We really love our partnership with Hawke’s Bay Airport, so when they selected us as the charity for this year’s Run the Runway event, we felt super-privileged.
“The incredible generosity of all the runners who took part has just blown us away. Huge thanks to them and the Airport team. Together, you have made a big impact for rangatahi here in the Bay,” she says.
Hawke’s Bay Airport acknowledges the generous support of its sponsors: Hawke’s Bay Marathon, Urban Wellness Centre, Shoe Clinic Napier, Dentons, PURE Sports Nutrition,and Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers.


