Great Barrier Island’s best kept sporting secret, the Wharf to Wharf Marathon, is to be sponsored by Great Barrier Airlines. The event will be known as the Great Barrier Airlines Wharf to Wharf.
The airline has been servicing the Island since 1983 and owners Gerard and Louise Rea have lived on the Island and been part of the community since 2001. Their commitment to providing air transport to the Island is paramount.
“We wanted to be associated with this event for two reasons,” says Gerard Rea. “It is a special fundraiser for Kaitoke Primary School on the Island, and the race is also a memorial to Barry Mouat, one of the founding organizers of the original wharf to wharf. Barry passed away in 2008 from cancer.”
Great Barrier Airlines brings passengers from Auckland, the North Shore, Whangarei and Whitianga to Great Barrier Island in its fleet of 14 aircraft.
“We are well aware of contestants’ dedication and commitment to training for an event like this and we look forward to the Great Barrier Airlines Wharf to Wharf becoming an annual event recognized throughout New Zealand and overseas,” says Mr Rea.
The race will be held on October 10th and entry forms are available on the website www.thebarrier.co.nz/wharf2wharf.htm. The entry fee is $50 and all proceeds go to Kaitoke School on the Island.
