Black Swamp Rod Run commemorates a life taken too soon

JULIA WADE

19 Dec, 2022

Along with festive joy and New Year’s cheer, another traditional event is gearing up for the season, one as colourful and glossy as baubles on a Christmas tree and as hi-octane as a Yuletide hymn.

Back after a year’s absence due to Covid, the Black Swamp Rod Run will score its 16th year in 2023, the popular event set to park up once again at Mangawhai’s Domain on January 7 to thrill and delight classic car and Hot Rod lovers, and holidaymakers and locals alike.

After registering and parking up at Mangawhai Domain, and being admired, coveted and desired for nearly two hours, the classy line-up of automobiles including roadsters, Cameros, Chevs, Model Ts, Mustangs and motorbikes, will head out for a coastal cruise to Waipu before returning to a private address along Black Swamp Road for a club members party with picnics, live bands and dancing.

However, this year will be bittersweet for many Black Swamp Run members, as the event also commemorates the one year passing of founding member and cousin ‘to many of the crew’, Mark Church, who passed away on January 4, two weeks shy of his 60th birthday.

Also aptly named the Mark Church Memorial Run, event co-organiser Sandra Brunt says all proceeds, including visitor’s koha, will be donated to Motor Neurone Disease NZ in memory of her cousin, a passionate petrolhead who drove a 1957 Chev.

“He was also a talented car builder, loving husband and father who was taken way too soon,” she says. “Come and join us to celebrate his life and please give generously on the day to support this great cause.”