RUNNING

Thousands take to the streets for capital's biggest fun run

By Sport Wellington

The weather behaved for the 14,022 participants that gathered at Frank Kitts Park on Sunday morning to await the sound of the Cigna Round the Bays starting cannon. The iconic Wellington event again attracted crowds from across the Wellington region and further abroad for what has become the capitals annual and biggest fun run.

Organised by Sport Wellington and supported by Cigna Life Insurance NZ Ltd., the event is the largest participant sport and recreation event in the lower North Island and the third largest in New Zealand. Being their first year on board, many Cigna staff participated in the event while others lined the streets, cheering participants on.

Over 350 staff and volunteers donated their time to help make the day possible. Event Director James King says "the hard work all of our volunteers put in is phenomenal; we can’t thank them enough for everything they do."

Amongst the 14,022 participants were 510 social and corporate teams, with many local businesses using the event as an opportunity to get active with their workmates. Les Mills once again took out the title of biggest team, with 378 participants.

Cigna’s ‘Official Charity Partner’, Achilles International NZ participated with a team of 81 Achilles athletes and supporters. The charity provides New Zealanders with disabilities the opportunity to participate in events alongside an able bodied athlete. The team was accompanied by several New Zealand sports personalities including former All Black Frank Bunce, former rugby league player Tawera Nikau, and TVNZ presenter Greg Boyed. Wellington Mayor Celia Wade Brown was also in attendance, running the 6.5km fun run alongside Achilles athlete SetiTafua who partook in a wheelchair.

Along the Frank Kitts to Kilbirnie Park course route, participants were met with cheer squads and drumming groups. They also passed through the Kio Bay Fun Zone, in which Kio Bay residents decorated their houses and take to the streets to cheer on, entertain and cool runners down under their garden hoses. King says "the Kio Bay Fun Zone has become a bit of a tradition, the residents in this area are fantastic and their ongoing support is tremendous. We always have really great feedback around this area as time and time again it proves to be a highlight with participants."

The crowds gathered at Kilbirnie Park after they crossed the finish line for prize giving, and post-race activities. Participants were met with live music, the Southern Cross family zone, the TBI Health Recovery Zone, BBQs, entertainment and spot prizes. Cigna offered up a 25m Cigna Challenge in which participants could race against a Cheetah, Superman and other animations displayed on huge 25 metre screen.

Results from the race were printed in Mondays The Dominion Post and are now available online. Those keen to participate in next year’s event are encouraged to get in as soon as registrations open to ensure their spot at Cigna Round the Bays 2016.