RUNNING

Street Athletics goes public in Christchurch

By International Track Meet

Social and competitive runners of all abilities get the opportunity to go head to head with Olympians and international athletes in Christchurch this month, with the announcement that both the ‘Big Shot and Fast K’ events will be open to public entry for the first time.

Entries are now open for the ‘Fast K’ – a 1000 metre race starting in Oxford Terrace and then running straight down Kilmore Street.  While children’s events have been held in previous years, this year will be the first time the general public have had an opportunity to be part of the main event.

“Most social runners will have an idea of their average kilometre time, and perhaps their fastest 1km in the middle of a run, but very few will have had the opportunity to run a one-off event like this and see what they can do,” said event director Paul Coughlan. “And with the course heading straight down Kilmore Street, if there’s a good easterly that day it could be a pretty impressive Strava segment!”

The Dyers Road ITM ‘Tradies Challenge’ shot put event will then give Christchurch construction businesses the chance for bragging rights on many building sites across the city. New Zealand’s best-known sportsman builder, Tom Walsh, won’t be representing Mike Greer Homes as he’ll be competing in the main event, but organisers are confident that other building companies will want to put up their strongest contenders.

Walsh’s coach, Halberg Awards nominee and Commonwealth Games 2010 bronze medallist Dale Stevenson, will be on hand to offer advice to the contestants at the Dyers Road branch of ITM before the event.

Event director Paul Coughlan is excited to continue the development of this event and to be truly taking athletics to the people. “This year the public can come along as spectators and be entertained and inspired, but they can also give it a crack themselves”.

Public entries are now open at www.thebigshot.co.nz.