Sawdust covered running tracks proposed for Raetihi

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 42, 10 April 1984, Page 4

Sawdust covered running tracks proposed for Raetihi

At the invitation of the Mayor, Siegfried Bauer was given an opportunity to address the Council at last month's meeting, on his suggestion to have sawdustcovered running tracks laid through some of Raetihi's reserves and. native bush areas. Mr Bauer explained that these sawdust-covered tracks were already very popular in Scandinavian countries as well as in Germany. There fitness-minded people used them for running and jogging away from the hard surfaces and traffic hazards of busy roads. "The sawdust tracks provide a good cushioning effect and runners would be able to enjoy the solitude and scenery of the local reserves and native bush areas instead of having to run on public roads," he said.

"And if the idea is adopted and advertised it would be an asset for Raetihi because people would want to come here to run on them all year round. Sawdust is a good draining material so these would virtually be all-weather tracks." "Commercial running camps could be set up in summer months to attract people to Raetihi and use up some of the surplus summer accommodation that is available in the Waimarino," he said. Existing tracks through native bush and reserves areas could be used but would have to be widened to allow for two people to run together, side by side, or to allow two runners to pass each other. The length of the existing walking track through the reserve along the Makotutu

River behind the Motor Camp is only about 1 km long. It would be preferable to extend this — "the longo* the better," said ultr^ distance runner Siegfried Bauer — but since this would involve property titles it was beyond his competence to suggest how long or what route any extension should take. This he would leave to Council. Mr Bauer was thanked for his representation at Council and for the contribution of his idea. They viewed the proposal favourably and referred it to the Works and Planning committee for further consideration.