13 February 2013

Course residents gearing up for fun run

Wellington residents bordering the AMI Round the Bays course are gearing up to welcome more than 13,000 runners and walkers past their doors this Sunday.

Many houses along Oriental Bay Parade and Evans Bay Parade will be decorated to encourage entrants, as they run or walk from the Franks Kitts Park start to the Kilbirnie Park finish.

The Capital’s largest participation event begins with 2,500 lining up for the starter’s cannon in the ISC Lenco Half Marathon at 8am, followed by a record 11,000 people stepping up for the 7km fun run or walk at 9.20am.

Almost 500 teams will join in the community event, with the largest being from Les Mills with 460 members, closely followed by a combined AMI Insurance /IAG team with 300. Sport Wellington’s Active Families Programme, contracted by the Ministry of Health, which also funds Green Prescriptions, has encouraged more than 130 of its participants to take part.

More than 100 entrants are fundraising for the official charity partner, the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research. As of today almost $30,000 has been pledged, with Radio personality and Malaghan Institute Ambassador Jason Pine heading off others as the top individual fundraiser.

Kio Bay locals especially look forward to AMI Round the Bays as an opportunity to support and celebrate Wellington’s largest fun run. Resident Arthur Klap says Kio Bay residents love the response they get from entrants as they’re greeted with a street party.

The Wellington City Shake-‘Em-On-Downers will play on the Klap’s balcony as they inspire 7km runners and walkers to ‘stomp on down’ to the five kilometre mark. There’ll be balloons and residents in costume to add to the fun.

Residents and businesses along the course were alerted to road closures, which will generally occur from 8am to 1pm on 17 February.

Event director Craig Ireson, Sport Wellington, encourages residents flanking the course to join the party. “Roads will be closed so why not use the opportunity to connect with neighbours. Kio Bay has thrown down the gauntlet to other bays along the course. We’d love to see more residents cheer on the thousands who will pass by,” he says.

Multiple stakeholders, including emergency services and the Wellington City Council, have joined in event planning. Residents and businesses were also given the opportunity to voice any concerns they had about AMI Round the Bays. “As in previous years we’ve taken a coordinated approach to minimise disruption as far as possible,” says Craig.

Another example of community involvement this year is a prayer tent, organised by All Saints Haitaitai. Onsite at Kilbirnie Park from 9am – 2pm the tent will cater for both residents and churches impacted by the Sunday morning road closures as well as runners, walkers, spectators and supporters. “Every year we are impacted by AMI Round the Bays and decided it is about time we get involved as the event is right on our doorstep,” says Lynley Webster, All Saint’s Church.

Interest in the fun run and half marathon has again exceeded capacity, with the 2013 event selling out two weeks ago for the second year in a row.

“AMI Round the Bays is a significant event on Wellington City’s calendar. It attracts more than one-tenth of the population to either run, walk, sponsor, fundraise, volunteer or work at. And that’s not counting the hundreds of residents and others who live or work along the course route,” says Craig.

AMI Round the Bays in Brief

On this Sunday beginning at 8am with the ISC Lenco Half Marathon.
The 7km fun run begins at 9.20am, with walkers starting at 9.30am.
MetService is predicting a sunny day with a high of 21C.
Road closures will affect parts of the City, Shelly Bay and Massey Road and areas in Haitaitai and Kilbirnie while the race continues. For map of road closures see www.wellingtonroundthebays.co.nz Transportation FAQs
2,500 entrants for ISC Lenco Half Marathon, the Athletics New Zealand National Half Marathon Championships race.
11,000 entrants for the 7km run, walk or wheelchair.
300 volunteers or staff delivering the event.

Road closures in detail

Road closures will affect Customhouse Quay, Jervois Quay, Cable Street and Oriental Parade from 6.30am – 11am.
Evans Bay Parade, Cobham Drive, Wellington Road, Shelly Bay Road and Massey Road will also be affected between 8am – 1pm.
Traffic will be unable to enter Haitaitai’s Taurima, Ruahine and Goa Streets from 8am to 11.30am.
A detour will be in place for State Highway One along Kilbirnie Crescent; expect delays.

ENDS –

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