Celebrating Summer with a Splash of Colour

Over 700 people, took part in the “2023 Ray White Hatea Loop Challenge – with a splash of colour” on Thursday 7 December.

Known for participant fancy dress and fun atmosphere, the 2023 Ray White Hatea Loop Challenge didn’t disappoint in what turned out a to be another great evening of fun and frivolity as Whangarei workplaces joined with family groups to celebrate the end to another year. Over 48 Northland businesses were represented this year – plus 11 family groups – with the event opened to children and families for the first year ever.

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 healthy competition for those vying for a category win (and bragging rights). 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. For the second year running, the event has now featured a colour run.

“This event is a great way for workplaces to come together and kick-start their Christmas celebrations in a fun, festive atmosphere – to us it has started to really signify the start of summer.” said Co-director, Rod Parkinson.

“It is wonderful to see friends, families and colleagues come together in support of this event – the addition of family categories has really added a new dimension to the event. We were pleased to see over 125 children out on the course with us this year.” adds fellow Co-director, Vanessa McKenzie.

Ray White Whangarei have a strong history working alongside Sport Northland, Northland’s Regional Sports Trust. A charitable trust with a core purpose of ‘enriching lives through sport’ and a vision of ‘All Northlanders leading better lives through involvement in play, active recreation and sport’ – any profits are reinvested into their local community programmes. 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.

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

This year the fastest female was Rae Ocean (Ray White Whangarei) with a time of 23:07 and the fastest male went to Sam Rout at 17:26.  Adelle Wilson (BDO Northland) took out the “Big Boss” female award with the male “Big Boss” awarded to Chris Taylor (WRMK).

Event Industry Award Winners were: BDO Northland (Accounting/Finance/Insurance/Legal); Kensington Private Hospital (Government/Health/Education); Scope Total Project Partners (Construction/Building/Transport); Northpower Fibre (Communications/IT/Media); Pak N Save – Stickman (Retail/Hospitality); Kamo Volunteer Fire Brigade (Volunteer Services); and “Hallburgers” (Family/Whanau).

Ray White Whangarei and Tutukaka were once again proud to take out the ‘Real Estate’ category – with over 33 of their sales, property management and administration staff competing, plus several members volunteering to marshal at the event.  Three prizes were also awarded to the best dressed teams, including Ngāti Hine Health Trust who took out the first prize.

“We would like to thank all the participants, sponsors, volunteers and Sport Northland for their ongoing support of this event” said Mr Parkinson.

View all the photos from the 2023 Hatea Loop Challenge event on the Ray White Whangarei Facebook page.
> Ray White Whangarei Facebook Page
> Facebook Photo Album 1
> Facebook Photo Album 2