Kaikohe fun run to traverse cycle trail | Northland News | Local News in Northland

It has already seen hugely successful walking and cycling events, and now the Mid North's new cycle trail is set to host a fun run modelled on Sport Northland's Run/Walk series.

The Okaihau-Kaikohe Traverse, organised by the Kaikohe Rotary Club, will be held on October 23.

President Frank Duxfield said it would have 8km and 14km options and fill the gap in the popular Run/Walk series.

It would follow the Twin Coast Cycle Trail/Pou Herenga Tai. The longer option would starting near Okaihau's fire station and the shorter at Toia Rd. Both would end at Kaikohe's Mid North Motor Inn.

The club hopes it will become an annual event and is aiming for a turnout of 200 for the inaugural run.

"Like the Run/Walk series, we expect a large element will do it just for fun and exercise, and a few will do it more seriously and for good times."

The club's aim was to promote the cycle trail as a good place to exercise. Mr Duxfield said the trail completed so far was "wonderful".

"Once it's fully operational and all the pou [traditional carved posts] are installed it'll be quite a spectacular journey."

As the trail expanded the event could too, growing into a marathon then perhaps an ultra-marathon.

As for the event's name, which conjures up images of a mountain crossing, Mr Duxfield said the intention was to come up with something catchy.

"And there is a hill section," he quipped, referring to the gentle incline downhill to Kaikohe.

While the event would take place on the day of the Rugby World Cup final, he did not expect that would prove much of a clash because the match was at 9pm.

The traverse will be the third public event on the Kaikohe-Okaihau leg of the cycleway, after April's Big Walk drew 300 walkers and the Mayoral Challenge in May more than 700 cyclists.

Cycle trail co-ordinator Adrienne Tari said the number of public events on the trail would be restricted to three or four a year, "to keep them a little bit special" and make sure local users did not feel excluded.

Once the trail is complete it will stretch 86km from Horeke in South Hokianga to Opua in the Bay of Islands.

Runners will start at 9am and walkers at 9.05am, with buses taking participants from Kaikohe to Toia Rd/Okaihau from 8am. The fee is likely to be around $15. Keep an eye on www.kaikoherotary.org for updates.