Hadlow to Harbour Fun Run/Walk (H2H)

Hadlow to Harbour Fun Run/Walk (H2H) is a project of the Rotary Club of Timaru North. The annual non-profit fun run, supporting charities in South Canterbury, has been held for the past 50 years. The 10 km course begins at Hadlow, just beyond the western edge of Timaru, and winds its way through the city streets to finish at Caroline Bay, near the port of Timaru. For those who can’t manage the full 10km there is a shorter course of 3km from the Countdown Supermarket in Church Street. Participants can run, walk, wheel or jog, and many wear fancy dress costumes. Dogs are very welcome, and St Mary’s Church, which is en route, always has a water station available for thirsty runners and their furry companions.

“Each year up to 1000 people participate with the young, not so young, families, sporting and work groups joining in the fun.”

Alpine Energy is the main sponsor of the fun run and each year up to 1000 people participate with the young, not so young, families, sporting and work groups joining in the fun. The event has raised thousands of dollars in its 50 years of operation, with most of the money going to support local community projects.

Even during COVID-19 lockdowns the club managed to hold the event, taking a gamble that restrictions would be lifted in time. They were lifted at 6am on the morning of the event, just three and a half hours before starting time and they managed to attract 870 entrants.

Event organiser Alan Crawford said he had seen people come back to the event year after year. “There’s one friend of ours, she came the first year pushing one child, and then a few years later there were two, and now there are three,” Alan said.