11 February 2011

20,000 feet are expected to set off from Frank Kitts Park to Kilbirnie Park for AMI Round the Bays on Sunday 20 February. The 2011 event once again includes the 7km fun run/walk and the New Balance Half Marathon as well as a festival-like atmosphere at the finish line.

The event has been under the direction of Sport Wellington, the regional sports trust for the greater Wellington region, for the past 13 years with over 80,000 Wellingtonians making the annual pilgrimage around the inner city bays since 1999. This is the first year, however, of involvement from AMI Insurance, who are proud to support the biggest push play event in Wellington.

AMI Area Manager for Wellington, Terry Harkin says: “Round the Bays is a hugely popular event and we’re thrilled to be involved. We jumped at the opportunity to get onboard because, when it comes to supporting our community, we see a lot of similarities between AMI’s values and those of Sport Wellington. We are proud to be local and AMI staff are really looking forward to getting out there and celebrating our great city with our fellow Wellingtonians.”

Event Director, Craig Ireson, says he has been amazed by the number of registrations for the 2011 event. “It seems like everyone I talk to is either taking part or knows someone who is taking part, for a variety of reasons, whether fitness, family or friendship” says Ireson.

Although the event is a magnet for elite Wellington athletes most people are taking part for the enjoyment of walking, talking and smiling their way around some of the most beautiful inner city scenery in the world.

The fun doesn’t end at the run; at the finish line festival at Kilbirnie Park participants can relax and picnic with their family or friends, enjoy the free children’s entertainment from Capital E! or listen to the hip hop sounds of local hero King Kapisi. The event is in aid of a good cause as money raised by Heart Racers goes towards helping the Heart Foundation stomp out heart disease.

There are multiple road closures around the course and drivers are encouraged to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary or to take the South Coast route to the airport rather than via Kilbirnie.

People can still enter in person at Les Mills Extreme, Taranaki Street. Late entries can also be made at Shed 6 on the day.

Come along on Sunday 20 February and help Sport Wellington and AMI put the fun back in the run.

AMI Round the Bays and the New Balance Half Marathon
Sunday 20 February
New Balance Half Marathon- 8.30am Start
7km Fun Run/Walk – 9.20am Start
amiroundthebays.co.nz

ENDS

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