Roncalli College, Timaru - Awa Run 2023

The Awa Run is back for 2023! The Awa Run was started by Cullinane College (Whanganui) in 2017 with the idea of gathering year ten students from the nine schools of the National Network of Marist Schools (NNMS). This event raises funds for ‘Next Door,’ an initiative that seeks to reduce educational inequality in Aotearoa which is run by Young Neighbours Charitable Trust.

Across three days, approximately 60 year ten students and staff will run from Raetihi to Whanganui following along the beautiful and historic Whanganui River Road. Participants will be running 20km daily in ‘legs’ of 5km at a time. The Whanganui River Road is remote, rugged, and isolated. It begins by Mount Ruapehu and twists and turns its way down to Pipiriki, where it then follows alongside the Whanganui River ‘Te Awa Tupua’ before the final run into Cullinane College.

While students will be challenged by the sheer physical endurance needed to complete the event, they will also be supported by local hapori and marae that will house, feed, and educate them on the history of the local area.

The Charity Run has been organised for the purpose of raising money to support a number of small and isolated communities in the Central North Island. By supporting one of the young participants running in this event, you will be providing funds that will ultimately contribute to the education of a number of young people in communities who have little in the way of financial resources to promote and enrich the education of their rangatahi.

E rere kau mai te awa nui

Mai I te Kāhui Maunga ki Tangaroa

Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au!

As the river flows from the mountain to the sea,

I am the river, and the river is me!