The man behind Queenstown’s Winter Games and philanthropist Sir Eion Edgar is urging support for a new event. 

Edgar wants a healthy turnout for the first Wakatipu Trails Trust event to kick off fundraising for the new 109km Wakatipu Trail. 

The Wakatipu Trail Blazer on March 25 involves running or walking a private 7.5km course from the Jack’s Point Clubhouse to Jardine Park. Entrants can also do a 15km cycle. 

Entry is $15 and includes 12 months membership to Friends of the Trust, or a year’s extension for existing members. 

Edgar says the Tourism Ministry’s already granted funds for a feasibility study to see the Wakatipu Trail included as one of New Zealand’s so-called Great Rides. Once the study is accepted, the Government has pledged to dish out $1.8m towards the $3.6m cost of finishing the trail. 

Trail Blazer entries will boost bids for funding from other sources, Edgar says.