2017 Thunder Run Brings Scores of Riders to New Zealand
Mass participation motorcycle ride highlights 2017 Iron Run festivities.
The Iron Run, which takes place every spring in Queenstown, New Zealand, never fails to attract scores of riders from across Australia and NZ. And this year’s event, taking place over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, brought over 1,000 Harley lovers to town. Hundreds of them participated in the weekend’s crowning jewel: the Thunder Run.
The Thunder Run is a mass participation ride that takes participants from Queenstown to Arrowtown through some seriously beautiful scenery. Joining them on this year’s ride were famous New Zealand actress Danielle Cormack, BMX/mountain bike rider Caroline Buchanan, radio broadcaster Jay Reeve and former All Black Josh Kronfeld.
‘The run was just brilliant, all riding together and the noise of thunder and the scenery.’
Once riders reached Arrowtown, they enjoyed a “Show n’ Shine” and a street party with performances by local bands Buckingham Belles and the Miner’s Band. A number of lucky riders received awards for their bikes across a number of categories.
For many riders, the Thunder Run is a special, can’t-miss event, like Greymouth resident Kenny Williams, whose 20th appearance at Iron Run also served as the newlywed’s honeymoon. Williams and his wife both rode their 2014 Harley-Davidson Breakout’s to the event.
“We love catching up with old friends. Everyone is like our extended family, and it’s so well organised,” Williams told the Otago Daily Times. “The run was just brilliant, all riding together and the noise of thunder and the scenery.”
