More than 1000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles roared from Queenstown to Arrowtown today as part of the third annual Iron Run rally in New Zealand, raising funds for Camp Quality.
The Thunder Run was the highlight of the two-day rally. It was led by celebrities including actress Danielle Cormack, All Black footy legend Josh Kronfeld, Kiwi DJ Jay Reeve, Aussie Olympian BMXer Caroline Buchanan and her fiancé Barry Nobles, an American BMX champ.
Danielle, Josh, Caroline and Jay (Photos by Johny Cook)Apart from the Thunder Run, there have also been parties, a show and shine, demo rides, tattoo competition, live bands, guided rides and plenty of fun on offer. Another highlight was the display of the Harley Livewire electric motorcycle.
Arrowtown Street PartyHarley-Davidson Australia and New Zealand marketing manager Adam Wright says while the rally is about fun, he says the motorcycle community is “very generous” to charities and was raising money during the rally for Camp Quality which looks after children with cancer.
Several fund-raising activates over the rally raised $10,000 for Camp Quality.
“It’s a great effort from the local community and all of the Harley riders that attended this year’s Iron Run,” Adam says.
“Very happy to raise these much-needed funds for a great cause.”
A charity auction at the HOG VIP Party on the Friday night, alone, raised several thousand dollars including $2500 for a football signed by Richie McCaw, the only captain to win two Rugby World Cups.
More than 1000 riders and their pillions attended this year’s Iron Run rally with more than 35 volunteers making sure the events ran smoothly.
Riders rally for charityThe first Iron Run rally open to riders of all brands of motorcycles was held in Queenstown in 2015. Last year, it was held in Paihia in the North Island and has returned to Queenstown in the South Island this year.
In welcoming the rally, Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult said he would gladly have the riders return in 2019.
Adam says they have not yet confirmed where the rally would be held over the next two years. However, he did say it would continue to swap between the north and south islands.