Celebrating Summer with a Splash of Colour

There was a carnival atmosphere on Whangarei’s Hatea Loop on Thursday 5 December when a record number of participants representing 120 workplaces from across Northland, hit the pavement in the fifth annual Ray White Hatea Loop Challenge – with a splash of colour.

Sponsored by Ray White Whangarei & Tutukaka since inception, and run in conjunction with Sport Northland, Whangarei’s favourite workplace run/walk event, the Ray White Hatea Loop Challenge, celebrates the Hatea Loop Walk/Cycleway (Huarahi o te Whai) and Workplace Health. The event is designed for workplaces to participate and challenge one another in a fun, festive and social atmosphere – with plenty of entertainment along the 4.8km course as well as plenty of healthy competition for those vying for a category win. Participants enter as part of a workplace team (of three or more people) across either the run, run/walk, or walk categories – with the results being calculated on the first 3 finishers for that team. There is a range of industry categories in which teams enter – challenging fellow workplaces and departments from across the region.

This years event was a little different to previous years with a Colour Run component being added. So, in addition to being encouraged to dress up for the event, this year competitors also donned some signature yellow sunnies (an occupational health and safety requirement) to hit the course.

“As soon as the idea of adding the colour run component was put forward we knew we wanted to make it happen! It was Whangarei’s first ever colour run and the fact that over 910 people entered, making it the largest turnout for the Hatea Loop Challenge to date, speaks for itself!” said Company Director, John Monteith.

Trophies were again handed out to both the Industry Award Winners, Big Boss Winners, Fastest Team and Fastest Individuals.

This year the fastest overall team went to Keith Andrews Trucks, securing bragging rights for 2019. Fastest female was Caris Teo with a time of 19:13 and the fastest male went to Ben Hawkins at 18:36. “Big Boss” female and male awards were taken out by Adelle Allborn and Scott Kennedy respectively, both of whom representing BDO Whangarei. Event Industry Award Winners were: Ray White Whangarei (Real Estate); BDO Northland (Accounting/Finance/Insurance/Legal); Mill Road Veterinary (Government/Health/Education); Rehab Rebals (Sport & Leisure/Tourism); Northpower Misfits (Construction/Building/Transport); Northpower 8 Bad Knees (Communications/IT/Media); Keith Andrews Trucks (Retail/Hospitality); Northpower 3 Monkeys (Agriculture/Recreational Service); Kamo Volunteer Fire Brigade (Volunteer Services).

Ray White Whangarei and Tutukaka were once again proud to take out the ‘Real Estate’ category – with over 20 of their sales, property management and administration staff competing, plus several members volunteering to marshal at the event.

“We were so happy with how the evening unfolded – with colourful people, laughter and smiles everywhere you looked… We even had competition in our Real Estate category this year (and are pleased to say that we still came out on top in our division – with some great runners, and pretty fit members on our team” said Company Director, Vanessa McKenzie.

“It is always a great way to kick off summer, catch up with colleagues before the Christmas rush, and celebrate the Hatea Loop!” added John Monteith “and each year it just keeps getting bigger and better!”

Iconic in Northland, the Hatea Loop is a fully accessible walkway that circles the Hatea River, crossing three bridges. The Hatea Loop that weaves past restaurants, shops, through markets, besides yachts, parks and industrial areas, across the new cycle and footbridge over the Waiarohia Stream, is part of a grand vision of an area that all people can enjoy however they want to. The walkway links Whangarei’s Town Basin with Te Matau a Pohe and William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island – from which a variety of activities can be enjoyed. Ray White Whangarei have just moved to their purpose built office at 131 Port Road – alongside the award-winning Whangarei’s Te Matau ā Pohe bridge on The Hatea Loop.

“Thanks must go to the Sport Northland team who we’ve partnered with on the event. We truly value to relationship we have with their company – whose values of passion, innovation, relationships, and leadership closely align with our own. ” adds fellow Company Director, Chris Hannam.

Sport Northland is a charitable trust and a registered charity with any profits reinvested into their local community programmes which are aimed at encouraging Northlanders to become more active. Funds from this years’ Ray White Hatea Loop Challenge will go towards supporting their Active Workplace Programme which promotes physical activity in the workplace to help create happier, healthier working environments.

Ray White were also proud to officially launch their Summer Snap: My Happy Place photo competition at the event – “It’s just another way to celebrate our amazing Northland summers” said Chris Hannam, fellow Company Director. “People are being asked to upload their summer snaps (showing their “happy place”) to be in to win up to $1500 in Prezzy cards . Entry is via our company website, or Facebook page.”
> Snap Your Summer Photo Competition

View all the photos from the 2019 Hatea Loop Challenge event on the Ray White Whangarei Facebook page.
> Ray White Whangarei & Tutukaka Facebook Page