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June 2, 2026

The G.J. Gardner Homes Whitianga Run Fest drew nearly 960 participants across three scenic courses, with elite runner Jacob Priddey dominating the 21km event. Organiser Nick Reader credits strong school involvement, generous sponsorship and an improved course layout for a successful day that blended athletic achievement with community spirit.

5km race attracted lots of children. G.J. Gardner gave free entry to all children.

While Auckland based elite athlete Jacob Priddey was in a league of his own in winning the 21km main event at the G. J. Gardner Homes Coromandel sponsored Whitianga Run Fest last Saturday morning, it was more about participation from a wide age group of enthusiastic entrants that made the day such a huge success.

　Such was Priddey’s total dominance, he finished over 10 minutes in front of another Aucklander and professional sportsman, Leo Takahashi who is part of the New Zealand SailGP Team.

　In total around 960 runners, joggers and walkers assembled in near perfect conditions on Buffalo Beach Reserve to undertake one of three course distances on offer all of which were based around Whitianga township and had the theme of being flat, scenic and surrounded by water.

Jacob Priddey, the fastest man – winner of 21km.

　For some, the word ‘fast’ was also front of mind but for most, their efforts were based more around personal challenges and achievements along with being part of the positive community spirit that these events generate.

Fastest woman of the 21km was Sam Watson; Men’s 10km winner.

　Thanks mainly to an ongoing initiative by Run Fest organiser Nick Reader and his team, one big standout this year was the number of school students taking part.

Men’s 21km placegetters; Girl’s 5km placegetters.

　“For the past three years the generous G.J. Gardner Homes sponsorship has allowed us to work with schools around the Coromandel which led to around 84 students being given free entry to the event this year. While having school students taking part helps spread the overall age demographic, it also creates a much wider family involvement.

First 3 winners of the 5km.

　That can be by simply providing encouragement from the sidelines on the day itself, to creating an incentive for other family members to have a go themselves” says Nick.

Father and son enjoying making it to the finish line.

　All up, just shy of 230 students aged between 5 and 19 took part this year with some standout performances by some particularly over the 10km distance where Hunter Mahood won his 10-14 age category, but also finished 7th overall. He was followed by Cody Spyde and Sammy Yodan also competing in the same age group, who crossed the line 9th and 12th place overall respectively.

Runners in the same age group cleaned up in the Male and Female 5km run also.

　After a few years of tweaking and changes, Nick says he has landed on the almost perfect course which will be largely used again next year. “No doubt the elite runners would like a completely flat course based solely on the hard seal but from feedback received they were pretty impressed with what we delivered this year. Having a circuit with water surroundings makes traffic management much easier and safer for participants, while adding in a grassed section for the longer distance courses only makes the event more unique and a little different from the norm. We have pretty much also locked in the same dates for next year as for many visitors, the event is a great way to kick start a long weekend in the Coromandel plus, it doesn’t eat up a lot of time for locals. We also believe the event and timing adds much needed and appreciated funds into the pockets of the local economy”.

　Certainly, an event that has the ability to produce not only some post aches and pains, but loads of positive community feel for all ages.