People from all over the North Island have descended on the Papamoa Hills to take part in the first race of the Tauranga Trail Running series.

Around 120 people have laced up their shoes to run a course which will take them through rural Bay of Plenty.

Sam Clark was the first man across the line in the 10km race in 34 mins 12 secs. Photos by Tracy Hardy.


The first woman across the line was Sonya Macefield from Mount Maunganui in 46 mins 44 secs.

Assistant race director Jason Whitelaw says the next race is next month at the TECT All Terrain Park and the third is in August at McLaren Falls.

'There is a 5km race which is for people who want to walk, take it a little bit easier or they are finding their feet when it comes to racing in events like this.

'Then there is the 10km option, which is a great step up for some people. Some racers use this as an opportunity to get time on their legs in a race environment.”

The race starts in the Papamoa Hill carpark and racers then take the main track up, which most people normally use.

Jason says when they get to the first main clearing there are a couple of options.

'One is to go up to the summit and one is to cross a fence which takes you more into the rural Bay of Plenty paddocks.

'That's where these guys are going. They are going to pop over the fence and get amongst some really good North Island farms.”

The 10km runners will then drop down into a bit of a valley before they start climbing hills.

Jason says it's a mixture of 4WD tracks and runners may come across the odd cow as well.

This is the second year the event has been held at Papamoa Hills and Jason says they host other events at Papamoa Hills throughout the summer.

Second place in the man category was Hayden Wilde from Whakatane with a time of 34 mins 20 secs.

Third place in the man category was Nico de Jong from Whakatane with a time of 35 mins 14 secs.

Second place in the women category was Hannah Lowe from Tauranga with a time of 46 mins 59 secs.

Third place in the women category was Phoebe de Jong from Mount Maunganui with a time of 47 mins 21 secs.