To celebrate and promote the partial opening of Te Ara Ōtākaro - the Avon Trail - we are holding ‘Meet in the Middle’ on Sunday 15 October 2017 from 10:30am to 3pm.  By this time there will be a serviceable ‘interim’ transitional riverside path from Barbadoes St to Pages Road.

The ‘Meet in the Middle’ concept is an invitation to the communities of Christchurch to join treks on foot or bike from either end of the trail and meeting in the middle at Kerrs Reach for a family fun day and regatta with live entertainment.  The Mayor will lead the trek from the city end; other VIPs (perhaps a sports personality or two) are being enlisted to lead communities from the other end.

Canterbury and Union Rowing Clubs, Arawa Canoe Club, Aoraki Dragons and Te Waka Pounamu are all participating in the Regatta.  Sport Canterbury is a key partner.

At the main venue there will be opportunities for organisations to have stalls, Sport Canterbury and Flip Out will be running activities for kids, we will have a riverside stage with live music managed by Tiki Dub Productions and of course the inter-code regatta will be on the water.

If you wish to register an interest in becoming involved in any way, contact: evan.smith@vodafone.co.nz

More about Te Ara Ōtākaro - the Avon River Trail

Click here.

Sunday 15 October has been chosen because:

• It is the final weekend of the Breeze Walking Festival: Meet in the Middle is one of the featured walks
• It is the start of the Cycling Congress in Christchurch and is one of the key events in Biketober celebrations
• It includes a multi-code regatta at Kerrs Reach as part of the event (there are precedents for this in the Spring River Festivals of 2012 and 2013)
• It is the end of Mental Health Week
• It is the start of Heritage Week and Conservation Week
• It is the last weekend of the school holidays.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THOSE ON MEET IN THE MIDDLE TREKS

The construction of the trail remains a Work In Progress, although a serviceable trail is available for the event it isn't yet as ideal as we would like.  Please take the following precautions:

1. Follow the instructions of marshals: Keep to the trail - do not venture off the trail to the sides of stopbanks - you will find the ground here too soft in many places.
2. Do not travel more than 2 abreast.
3. At intersections follow the road rules - at intersections with traffic lights only cross at the lights with the green man do not cross with the red man or jay walk; at other intersections follow the instructions of the marshals.
4. Please supervise all children under your care.
5. Please ensure all dogs are on leads and under effective control 

Where to join the rides or walks:

NB: For health and safety Cyclists will proceed before Walkers at each point.

From New Brighton end:

10:30am               New Brighton clock tower or Old School

11:00am               SW corner of Wainoni Rd and Anzac Drive

11:30am               SW corner of Avondale Bridge

12:00pm               Main event site: Kerrs Reach between the boatsheds

3:00pm                 Close with some free buses back to start destinations

From the City end:

10:30am               Cambridge Tce opposite Fire Station

11:00am               Swanns Rd Bridge

11:30am               SW corner of Gayhurst Bridge

12:00pm               Main event site: Kerrs Reach between the boatsheds

3:00pm                 Close with some free buses back to start destinations

What to bring:

• Your whanau / family - please keep all dogs on a lead and under control at all times.
• Waterproof blanket to sit on.
• Your own water bottle - there is a drinking water tap on site at Kerrs Reach.
• There is a bike park for cyclists: please bring your own bike lock.
• Event takes place rain or shine!  So pack appropriate clothing, hats, sunblock.

The Artists:

Our Partners and Sponsors: