Runners will be puffing out 100 candles this weekend.
Run Timaru is marking its centennial with relay races and an evening gala.
Spokeswoman Toni Kerridge said the club was founded in 1925.
Originally it was named the Timaru Harrier Club, which had started as an informal jogging club that left from Trinity Church.
Mrs Kerridge said the club’s first patron was Frank Rolleston, the former mayor of Timaru and local MP.
The Squire Cup is the club’s oldest ongoing race, which was first contested in 1937.
‘‘It has been run every year since, testing runners on a course around the Squire family farm in Maungati — a notably tough, hilly course.’’
In 1985 it moved to the Fairview course, remaining there until 2011, when it returned to Maungati.
The club had experienced a lot over the century.
In the 1970s fun runs started taking off.
‘‘Just people getting together to move and have fun.’’
In the 1990s — with shifts in society — new sports like triathlons and high-altitude running started changing the scene.
‘‘The club faced slowdowns as the landscape shifted.’’
A turn around began in the 2000s with a strategic push to revitalise the club, drawing in more community runners and volunteers.
Some members of the club had achieved worldwide success.
‘‘Sam Wreford and Chris Tobin are among the club’s most recognisable names.
‘‘Sam took the New Zealand cross-country title in 2012 and won the Auckland Marathon in 2013.
‘‘Chris represented New Zealand at the World Cross-Country Championships.’’
Celebrations for the centennial would be held this Saturday.
‘‘We begin the celebrations with a mile relay.’’
She said the relay used to signify the beginning of the season.
The event would take place at the Bay Soundshell with registration from 1pm-1.30pm and races beginning at 2pm.
An evening meal at the Landing Service Building was also planned.
