Ports of Auckland ‘Round the Bays’ is an enthralling event that most people look forward to, because of the seaside setting, good weather and most important of all, its ‘one size fits all’ nature with no pressure on time.
Not known to many is the other side of the event that the proceeds from the 42,000 participants who officially registered for the event (although I saw people holding numbers around 77 000) will go to Make-A-Wish New Zealand, Child Cancer Foundation, Garden to Table Trust, Fairfax First Books and Kidz First Children’s Hospital.
This year, it was a special occasion for young Sahara Adams.
The 13-year-old ‘Make-A-Wish’ recipient was the official race starter, with the crowd getting on its way at 930 am.
Like all the others, although not a fitness freak, I wanted to give/gain my share of joy. Geared up in beautiful T Shirts supplied by GE, I went with heart-filled enthusiasm and curiosity as this was my maiden effort.
Multi-ethnic participation
I was astonished to see a flock of people of all ages, ethnicities, colours and sizes representing businesses, charitable organisations, tertiaries, government agencies and many more, turn up in large numbers. It made me reflect on the model of national integration and this event was a perfect fit to the concept.
It took me a few minutes to reach the start point, pushing through the thick crowd. The countdown to begin the run made the event even more pulsating.
With much energy and enthusiasm, I moved with the flow, greeting and cheering people along way. Beautiful sea breeze fuelled my soul and it had been a long time since I had spoken to myself. This event gave me an opportunity to reflect on various things around me.
My energy levels dropped slowly after jogging/walking a few kilometres and my enthusiasm also dropped after seeing the stampede of plastic cups.
Although the walk/run was quite encouraging with intermittent supply of drinking water, water sprays and oranges towards the finish line, what made me concerned was the use of plastic cups, with a huge pile up of plastic.
An eyesore
Although recycle bins were provided and knowing that the mess would be cleared after event and being in that exhilarating rush to reach the finish line, it still remained a painful and sore sight to witness the spillage of plastic cups and orange peels that tarnished a pleasurable event.
It has been years since I stopped using plastic cling wraps for food (despite my use of plastic bags for shopping and rubbish bins) and stopped receiving junk mail in my letter box (despite my craze for shopping).
That is my contribution to a better environment.
The crackling sounds while walkers/runners stamp on the plastic cups made me halt few times to observe and contemplate.
Thanks to my cell phone, I could capture few pictures.
The organisers should look into this aspect in the forthcoming events by providing larger bins at a number of locations.
Shanti Ravi, a Functional Analyst (Information Technology), Organisational Development at the Unitec Institute of Technology based in Auckland is a passionate writer on several subjects. Read another story under Communitylink.
