Contestants begin at a relaxed pace in the Golden Mile race at the Queenstown Winter Festival on Saturday. Photos by Liam Cavanagh : Thousands turn out for Golden Mile race and parade

Queenstown Lakes District Councillor Craig Ferguson (left) and Brendan Quill (right) hosted the race and parade at the Queenstown Winter Festival on Saturday. : Thousands turn out for Golden Mile race and parade

Team Sustained Happiness, (from left) Becky, Tucker (14), and Alan Paris, all of Queenstown, finish the Golden Mile race at the Queenstown Winter Festival on Saturday. : Thousands turn out for Golden Mile race and parade

Crowds watch the parade at the Queenstown Winter Festival on Saturday. : Thousands turn out for Golden Mile race and parade

Mitre 10's take on the sustainability theme at the Queenstown Winter Festival on Saturday. : Thousands turn out for Golden Mile race and parade

Remarkables Primary School get into the sustainability theme at the Queenstown Winter Festival on Saturday. : Thousands turn out for Golden Mile race and parade

Composting is highlight at the Queenstown Winter Festival parade on Satuday. : Thousands turn out for Golden Mile race and parade