Wharf to Wharf Giving Away New Zealand Vacation, Seven Locals in the Running

One competitor in Capitola's Wharf to Wharf race later this month will get the run of his or her life.

The Wharf to Wharf is giving away a $5,000 trip-for-two to the January 2013 Wharf 2 Wharf fun run and walking event in New Zealand.

One hundred entrants randomly selected from the sold-out field were announced Monday, and seven Mid-County residents are in the mix. They are: Sarah Broome, Damon Gutzwiller, Noe Parker, Christopher Tran and Michelle Zheng from Aptos, Andrew Kumasaka from Soquel and Caryn Lane from Capitola.

The 100 athletes entered in the "Kiwi Drawing" will race with gold bibs (that's the race number pinned to your chest). It's not who finishes first; the final selection will happen at the race, Sunday, July 22. The winner has to be present to collect the prize.

The Wharf to Wharf starts at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and meanders six miles down the coast to the finish line at the Capitola Wharf. The popular race sells out every year. It's a benefit for area sports program, giving away more than $240,000 in 2011.

Check out the full list of golden bib racers here on the Wharf to Wharf Facebook page.