Marines retrace footsteps on Paekakariki’s Little Burma Road

23 May 2013

Marines retrace footsteps on Paekakariki’s ‘Little Burma Road’

History will repeat itself this Sunday [May 26] as a group of United States Marines retrace the footsteps of their former comrades, seven decades later.

New Zealand-based US Marines, who guard the US Embassy in Wellington, will participate in the “In the Footsteps of the Marines” run held in Paekakariki on the Kapiti Coast. The run commemorates a course the US Marines trained on during World War II.

Gunnery Sergeant Boylan says it will be an honour to celebrate the Marines’ long-established relationship with New Zealand and to help raise funds for good causes.

The Kapiti Joggers and Walkers Club are organising the run which tackles a gruelling 13.4 kilometre course spanning from Whareroa Farm up to the Maungakotukutuku Valley. It will reach 300m above sea level.

Famed-novelist and former Marine Leon Uris wrote in his book Battle Cry about his experiences as a marine on the Kapiti Coast during World War II. The book includes a descriptive passage about the training route which he nicknamed “Little Burma Road”.

Entry costs $20, or $25 on the day, and the proceeds will go to local organisations The Cancer Society, Kapiti U.S. Marine Trust, Tramway Museum, Wellington Free Ambulance, and Kapiti running & triathlon club.

ENDS

© Scoop Media