For more than a decade, the Tauranga City to Surf has taken runners and walkers around Mauao before bringing them home to the sand at Mount Maunganui Main Beach.

This year, the route will be different.

Following the fatal landslides in January, access to Mauao’s base track remains restricted and the traditional 11km course has been shortened to 8.5km.

While the course has changed, the reason for coming together remained – and this year there is an added purpose.

The Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga City to Surf has named Grief Support Services (GSS) as its official charity partner, bringing two local organisations together around community, connection and wellbeing.

For GSS general manager Deanna Wharton, the partnership is particularly fitting at a time when many in the community are dealing with loss, uncertainty and unwanted change.

“The landslides have reminded us just how quickly life can change and how important community support is when it does,” Wharton said.

Natural fit

GSS supports people experiencing grief following any unwanted change, including sudden and traumatic events.

Wharton had been thinking for some time about an event that could bring people together through physical activity, nature and connection.

“Being physically active, getting out of the house and spending time with other people can all play a valuable role in supporting wellbeing. City to Surf provides all three – bringing people together to walk, run, encourage one another and celebrate reaching the finish line,” she said.

She initially imagined people running or walking in memory of someone they had lost – perhaps wearing something meaningful or dedicating their effort to that person.

City to Surf proved a natural fit.

Event director Murray Fleming said the event had never formally partnered with a charity in its 14-year history, but the connection with GSS was immediately clear.

Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga City to Surf director Murray Fleming with Grief Support Services manager Deanna Wharton. City to Surf has named GSS as its official charity partner, bringing two local organisations together around community, connection and wellbeing. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

“The synergy between Grief Support and Tauranga City to Surf finishing at the Mount Maunganui Main Beach is very obvious,” Fleming said.

“We are really, really proud to be part of the link with them, and we’re hoping that through multiple years we will be able to raise a lot of money for their wonderful service.”

The event normally saw participants of all ages run or walk around Mauao. Last year’s oldest participant was 92.

This year, new courses are designed around the restrictions. The 5km course will head along the beach, while the half marathon and 8.5km course has also been adjusted.

Despite the changes, Fleming said organisers were looking forward to bringing people back to the Mount. “We want to bring the energy back in November to the Mount, to start the summer off the way that hopefully it will continue,” he said.

Run, walk or donate

Wharton said taking part did not require running experience. “You can run, walk, bring your family, get your workmates together or simply make a donation,” she said.

“However you take part, you can help make sure that when someone in our community experiences a loss, they have somewhere to turn.”

Participants can support GSS by entering the 5km, 8.5km or half marathon and donating during registration, setting an individual fundraising goal, or forming a team with friends, whānau or colleagues.

Connection matters

For Fleming, the event is ultimately about bringing people together.

“Health and wellness are about the body and the mind,” he said. “When you can put them both together, then the mind is going to mend much better. That’s why being active is so important to recovering from grief.

“This is where the link – the synergy between the two organisations – is absolutely perfect. That’s why we’re proud to be part of it.”

For Wharton, the opportunity to stand together as a community since January 22’s tragedy was at the heart of the new partnership. “When people are experiencing grief and loss, connection matters,” she said.

The Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga City to Surf is on November 8. All courses finish at Mount Maunganui Main Beach.