Over the tunnels and far away

The Fitzgerald family, of Oamaru (from left) Dee-Ann, Zara (10), Gemma (9), and Scott, head out on the Over the Tunnels mountain bike and walking event yesterday from Tokarahi to Windsor.

It was the first time they had ridden the 21km trail, which raises funds for Waitaki Girls' High School, named because it follows some of the former Windsor-Tokarahi branch railway and goes over two tunnels.

About 120 took part, more than last year, one of the organisers, Lynette McCone, said.

This is the fifth year of the event, but the first time the trail has started at the Tokarahi Hall. It usually started from Windsor.

Mrs McCone said it was decided to reverse the trail to make it different for those who had done it before. Where next year's event will start from had yet to be decided.

Funds raised will go towards buying a new sound system for the school hall.