Runners and walkers entering the 2012 Mizuno Taupo Half Marathon should register now before 5 July to be in to win the Mizuno Early Bird Prize Pack worth $500.
The 19th annual Taupo Half Marathon is being held on Sunday 5 August and over 3,000 participants are expected to enter. Online entries are available online at www.taupohalfmarathon.org.nz and those who register before midnight on 5 July will go automatically go in the draw for the early bird prize – $500 worth of Mizuno gear.
For 2012, the major prize drawn at prizegiving will be a trip for two to China, including flights, accommodation, and a tour to the Great Wall. Plus there will be loads of other prizes including BBQ's, Mizuno running gear, accommodation at the Hilton Lake Taupo and much more! The long standing Taupo event is renown for its range of fantastic prizes. "Every year we try really hard source to source an exciting range of prizes for our loyal participants – we think it is one of our points of difference," says Event Director Wayne Reardon.
As usual many schools, clubs and organisations are taking part in the 2012 event as a fundraising or team building exercise. "It is great to see many groups using this event as an annual get together and team building" said Mr Reardon. "Also many people use it as a fundraising opportunity. It is an excellent community event and the atmosphere on the day is part of the reason why so many keep coming back every year."
Long-term participant Vern McPhale will be running the event on behalf of Alzheimers sufferers, starting at the very end of the event and raising $1 for every person he passes along the way.
All proceeds raised from the event go back into the local community by way of sporting scholarships for up and coming sporting stars. Last year the Society awarded over $25,000 to young sporting stars across the region to chase their sporting dreams.
The event starts in Tongariro Domain, Taupo and travels along the shores of Lake Taupo to Five Mile Bay and back again, with runners and walkers taking in stunning views of the lake and mountains. It is a dedicated half marathon distance and popular with those competing in the Taupo Half Ironman or Ironman New Zealand as it is a similar running route.
The Taupo Mizuno Half Marathon will again be part of the prestigious Erin Baker and Cameron Brown awards and the 63.3 challenge which includes the Kinloch Off-road Challenge and the Tauhara Off-road Half Marathon.
