Waiheke Island Wharf to Wharf Fun Run

Location Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf, Auckland.

Website http://www.wharf2wharf.co.nz/

Type Run or walk.

Distances 7, 12, 13 and 25 km.

Time of Year January.

Goodie Bag Decent. Banana and orange, pen, reusable drawstring bag. drink bottle, sun visor.

Course refreshments Water only, but stations every few km. If you need more than water, pack a couple of gels and take with water at one of the stations.

Post-race refreshments Water and sports drink.

Post race details Race finishes at Matiatia Reserve. Lots of shade and a safe swimming beach.

Prizegiving Generous. A very large number of spot prizes. Scheduled to begin at 1.30, but actually started about 2.10 in 2010.

Finisher's medal No.

Competed in 2010.

Details

Well run event. Well-priced at $35 entry for the 13 and 25 km options, plus $30 return for the ferry journey to the start line and from the finish area from Auckland.

Suntan lotion was provided on the ferry by the organisers which was a nice touch. All courses are very hilly.

The 13 km race is mostly the first half of the 25 km race; the 12 km race is the second half of the 25 km event. The 12 km event is quite a bit less hilly than the 13 km event and therefore quite a bit easier. The first half of the 25 km event is extremely hilly, beginning with a long climb, followed by a steep descent to sea level before climbing again on another long climb.

The 25 km event is the first run that I have entered where I have voluntarily walked parts of it. Some of the hills are very steep and the summit of them is a long way from the bottom. It is not an easy run.

It is important to hydrate early as this run can get very hot. I am glad that I have completed this, but I'm not sure that it will be a regular event for me.

A nice and unique touch was the tent at the end containing not only printouts of the results, but also professionally printed out photos of competitors taken along the route. These were free of charge for the competitor to take any photos of him or herself. Much nicer than having to order from a sports photographer's website. Kudos to the organisers.