New Zealand Children’s Day was celebrated in style recently with the staging of the annual Kāpiti Rotary Club’s Fun Run at Paraparaumu Beach.
Club President Jim Dryburgh said the day was a great success.
“The weather was perfect and with well over 300 children running we are very pleased. We are grateful to our sponsors McDonalds and to the parents who have shown their support each year for this event.”
Nearly 350 pupils from local schools raced in three age events with Waikanae’s Kapanui School featuring prominently in most races.
The first event for ages 5-6 saw Kian Deehan of Paraparaumu Beach School defend the title he won last year in the boys section while close up to winner the girls race was six year old Jessica Przychodzko of Kapanui School.
Next up it was the 7-10 group and in the race of the day Sam Bence of Kapanui School shot out to a big lead. As the finish approached Shaun Corfield, a visitor from Thorndon School, flew home and looked like taking it but Bence fought back and the two crossed together for an exciting dead-heat. Third was Mathew Thrush of Raumati South. Tegan Binkhorst of Kapanui was also impressive in winning the girls race ahead of Olivia Kruk (Raumati Beach) and Marie Reid (Kapanui).
Kayla Shipp of Kāpiti Primary was in great form to win the girls 11 and over race from Ruby Dean of Raumati South and Diana Brouwer of Paraparaumu Beach while the boys race went to Ballad Woodley-Hanan of Kena Kena School who is now a three time winner of the Kāpiti Rotary Fun Run. Second place went to Nathan Makinson (Kāpiti) and third was Frans Joubert of Paraparaumu Beach School.
The formal prize-giving and dinner for event winners and their parents will be held at the Kāpiti Rotary Club’s meeting on April 8.
