It'll be a race to the finish line for two LGBT teams this Sunday morning in Auckland's annual Round the Bays fun run. Round the gays: Last year's Team Sparkle crew Team GayNZ.com has seven members, and Steven Oates' Team Sparkle has six. Both team captains say their teams are a mixture of very competitive runners and walkers who are just aiming for their personal best in the 8.4km race from Downtown along the Waitemata Harbour to St. Heliers Bay. The annual fun-run, a fundraiser for several community charities, regularly attracts over 60,000 participants each year. Last year was the first time Oates' Team Sparkle entered the race. They were beaten by Team Urge's fittest runner, but everyone finished the run and enjoyed a BBQ at K' Road's Urge bar afterwards. "I honestly ran the whole way," Oates insisted. This year Team GayNZ.com will make their debut at Round the Bays. GayNZ.com's Matt Akersten says the team's racing numbers have arrived and special white GayNZ.com T-Shirts are prepared for the team to wear during the race. "It looks like we've got some fit team members who've been in training - so we're confidant we can give the Sparkles a run for their money," he says.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Thursday, 12th March 2009 - 3:19pm