There was plenty of excitement, laughter and movement at Ōwairaka District School this week, as students came together to take part in the Halberg Mile in support of the Halberg Foundation.
Across Aotearoa this week, schools have been getting behind the Halberg Mile, with tamariki running, walking and rolling one mile in support of inclusive sport and play for young people with physical disabilities. Each school taking part is helping bring the Halberg Mile to life in their own community, while contributing to a collective effort to create more opportunities for young people to experience the joy of sport.
On Tuesday, Ōwairaka District School’s Year 5 and 6 students took on the one-mile challenge, with their year 1-4 students following in their footsteps today. With the sun shining and the day feeling more like summer, there was plenty of energy around Murray Halberg Reserve as students made their way around the course.
The location made the event particularly special. Sitting directly behind the school, Murray Halberg Reserve is named after Sir Murray Halberg, the legendary New Zealand athlete and founder of the Halberg Foundation.
Sir Murray won Olympic gold in the 5,000m at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games and had strong connections to the Ōwairaka area through his running career. The Halberg Mile was inspired by Sir Murray Halberg’s famous mile run, bringing together his legacy, his love of sport and the work of the Halberg Foundation today.
The Halberg Mile is a nationwide fundraising event that brings schools across Aotearoa together to help make sport and play more inclusive for everyone.
While the challenge is simple; students run, walk or roll one mile (1.6km) in whatever way works best for them and the purpose behind it is much bigger.
Funds raised through the Halberg Mile help the Halberg Foundation provide schools and communities with training, practical resources and support to create more inclusive opportunities, helping remove barriers that young people with physical disabilities can face when participating in sport and active recreation.
For Ōwairaka District School, the opportunity to take part was made even more meaningful by completing the Mile in a reserve carrying the name of the man whose legacy inspired the event.
From the first steps to the finish, the students embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, supporting one another and enjoying being active together. The atmosphere was full of energy, with plenty of smiles and laughter throughout the event.
A huge thank you to the students, teachers and wider Ōwairaka District School community for getting behind the Halberg Mile and helping raise awareness and funds for inclusive sport.
It was fantastic to see so many students involved and to see Sir Murray Halberg’s legacy brought to life in such a meaningful way, right in the heart of the community he once called home.
Every step, roll and stride contributes to a more inclusive future for young people with physical disabilities across Aotearoa.
Thank you, Ōwairaka District School, for being part of the Halberg Mile.
