Commissioner of Police Richard Chambers led a team of 66 Police runners at the Southern Cross ‘Round the Bays event in Wellington this morning.
Staff from the Police executive, non-sworn employees, sergeants, constables and recruits took part, some running the 8.4km and others completing the 21km race.
New Zealand Police teamed with ‘Round the Bays to create a 2.4km recruitment activation as part of the ongoing recruitment drive which included an appearance by the Police Pipe Band and the Police Maritime Unit - Lady Elizabeth IV.
Commissioner Chambers entered the 8.4km run and made it home in under one hour, alongside fellow keen runner Assistant Commissioner Corrie Parnell.
Commissioner Chambers says, “In typical Wellington fashion, the wind was the winner on the day. It was excellent to see so many Police staff take part in the event, including our outstanding recruits. Fitness is an important part of the recruitment process and joining up with 'Round the Bays allows us to reach future recruits who have got what it takes. Running is a big part of my daily routine - it helps keep me focused. I admit I had to eat Corrie Parnell’s dust in that race. However, I am pretty stoked I still hit the PAT time even if it was a little slower than the last time I did it about 30 years ago.”
Assistant Commissioner Parnell says, “I run daily as my primary form of exercise which also allows me time to decompress. On Saturday mornings I run the Parkrun 5K event which takes place at various locations across New Zealand and the world. This is another great opportunity to network with like-minded people and gets you up and going at the weekend."
Thanks to a timing mat at the 2.4km mark, runners could see if they have what it takes to train and complete the running portion of the police Physical Appraisal Test (PAT).
The run is part of the four components of the PAT and while the ‘Round the Bays time can’t be counted towards the PAT – it’s a great training tool to help with longer distance runs.
Two members of recruit wing 393, who graduate in March, raced home ahead of the Director of Training at the Royal New Zealand Police College, Superintendent Sam Keats. “I was running alongside Lachlan and Flynn for most of the race, and then towards the end, they burst off to finish ahead – they ran a great race.”
Wellington Harriers member, 14-year-old student Harry says, “I did the 8.4km run in 36 minutes today, which was pretty good”. Harry also easily completed other parts of the PAT - acing the standing jump and the grip strength test, two of the PAT components which were available to try at the finish line.
As part of the recruiting drive, Chambers wore a blue bib with emergency number 111 on it and Parnell wore the Police non-emergency number 105.
For a bit of fun, other officers and Police employees wore bibs marked with Police radio codes such as 103, 106 and 107.
The Honda Half Marathon 21km race was won by Toby Gualter, the son of a retired former Police officer.
The next 'Round the Bays run with a Police recruitment activation will occur in Auckland in two weeks on 8 March.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
