Excitement was high as the SEG team joined over a thousand others to pound the pavement in the Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga City to Surf 2022 event.
Richard, Brett, Sandor and Satnam laced up their shoes and joined 650 runners and walkers at the start of the 11km event, which saw them depart Sulphur Point and head towards Mount Maunganui via the harbour bridge and along Totara Street before completing a loop of the Mauao base track and ending with a sprint finish on the sand outside the Mount Maunganui Surf Club.
Family members and friends celebrated their efforts as each team member crossed the finish line.
SEG Managing director Richard Saunders said it was great to be part of a community event after it was cancelled last year due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
“Last year we participated in the virtual event where we each trained then individually ran the set course, but today it felt great to line up on the start line and feel the energy and excitement of the other competitors.”
Event organisers said about 1,200 competitors took part in either the half marathon, 11km or 5km City to Surf event, which was held on 6 November 2022.
The weather was overcast and there was a slight breeze during the race, which Richard said was perfect conditions for running.
He said the event had been positive in many ways and he encouraged others to get involved in future events.
“Whether you’re a runner or not, it doesn’t matter. For us it was more about getting out and training together as a team, encouraging and supporting each other and having some fun at the same time," said Richard.
Event organisers said it was great to see people were confident to take part in events again post Covid.
“We know everyone can go and run these courses whenever they want to, and that is great thanks to the local council providing those opportunities, however attending events offers our competitors the full experience of the build-up of training, preparations, heading away for a weekend with friends or family and then on the day having the amazing atmosphere, fellow competitors alongside you helping to push you, and then getting the cheer squad along the course and at the end when you cross that finish line,” said Event Promotions Marketing and Sponsorship Manager Georgia Frame.
2022 was the first year for the Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga City to Surf to take place with no limitations or restrictions since November 2019.
* Additional reporting from Sunlive.