2 November 2021
Beyond the Bridges 2021: Exploring the Waikato
It’s about this time of year that some of us are at the tapering stage of our Round the Bridges training programme, and others are doing a few last minute runs in a bid to up our fitness levels!
Alas, this year, we’ve been pipped at the line. Unfortunately, we’ve had to postpone our annual Lugtons Round the Bridges run, walk, Spark Corporate Team Challenge and Grassroots Trust Kids Challenge until Sunday 13 February, 2022.
But, while you may not be able to run round the bridges this year, we want to encourage you to go beyond the bridges and support the wonderful Waikato community we’re proud to be a part of.
Sundays are for lazy lunches
What better way to spend a Sunday morning than supporting the local eateries we have in abundance here in the Waikato. Thankfully, with click and collect, we can still enjoy our local establishments, so let’s run through a few of our favourites.
Along the Waikato River Trail, our Round the Bridges running track of course, there’s the neighbourhood favourite, Hayes Common. Or just up the hill in Hamilton East we can’t go past Duck Island Ice Cream, Grey Street Kitchen or Two Birds.
If you’re closer to the CBD, there are a bevy of businesses down by our Victoria Street office which are doing contactless pickups; think Banh Mi Caphe, Gothenburg, Cream Eatery, Demi Urgos and Plus 91!
Living in suburbia? No problem. Follow the footsteps of our Greenhill Park team and you’ll find yourself at The Wayward Pigeon. Or pop down the hill from our River Road office and you’ll soon discover why our team frequents French Tart Café.
Walk and talk
Just because you haven’t put the running shoes on, doesn’t mean you can’t get active. Take to the Waikato River Trails on foot or two wheels, meander through the tracks of the beautiful Taitua Arboretum just down the road from our Dinsdale office, or explore the many paths in and around the Hamilton Gardens.
You can still head downtown and educate the kids on the origins of the Riff Raff Statue, or take a stroll down the river track to find our Pa sites. Yes, that’s right, you’ve probably run past them (and will too when you take part in Round the Bridges) without even knowing. Pa Sites can be found intermittently across the shared-use track, and are a great educational adventure.
Grassroots and family friendly
The Grassroots Kids Challenge has been a cornerstone of our Round the Bridges event and, just like the race, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to do here in Hamilton. Hunt for Tron Rocks, take in Boon After Dark or let off steam by visiting 2019’s Playground of the Year, Hare Park in Flagstaff. With more than 80 playgrounds in Hamilton neighbourhoods and local communities alone (many of which have been recently upgraded!) there’s something for everyone.
For our corporate teams who we know love a challenge, why not set yourself a workplace step count competition. And don’t forget there’s always Movember!
We’re Lugtons, we’re locals
Lugtons Round the Bridges may not be on this year but we can’t wait to see runners, walkers, strollers and spectators lining up at the starting gates, ready to spring into action on Sunday 13 February, 2022.
Until then kia kaha Waikato, support local and enjoy going beyond the bridges into our local communities — when it’s safe to do so.
