Hundreds expected at childrens waterfront fun run

14 September 2016

The Cigna Kids Waterfront Fun Run will be held next month with hundreds of children expected to take part. Now in its fourth year the annual Athletics Wellington event is run in partnership with Cigna New Zealand and Sport Wellington.

This year the event will be held at the new venue of Waitangi Park on Thursday 20 October. Start and finish lines will be centred in the park with 500m fun runs for pre-schoolers, through to students in Year 8 running from 1 – 2 km depending on their age.

“We are really passionate about the health and wellbeing of our communities and this event is a great way to encourage kids to get out and be active,” says Lance Walker, Cigna CEO.

“As with the annual Cigna Round the Bays, the event is a family affair and we encourage parents to not only bring their children down for the afternoon but to also get involved, especially with the pre-schoolers who want to take part.”

Keen runners will be excited to see two successful runners on the day.

“We are excited to have Olympian Hamish Carson and former mountain running champion Melissa Moon coming to cheer the kids on – their attendance is sure to be hugely motivating, especially for anyone that was recently inspired by the Rio Olympics!” said Lance.

Registrations are now open, with online entrants receiving a personalised bib and going into a draw to win spot prizes. Cigna will also provide a free entry to the Cigna Round the Bays 2017 6.5km race for the runners who come first, second and third for each of the seven events.

The day will have a festive atmosphere with Cigna staff running a variety of stalls providing food and activities for a gold coin donation. All proceeds from the day will go to Cigna’s official charity Achilles New Zealand.

Jo Murray, Athletics Wellington Sports Development Manager, says the fun run has increased in popularity each year, with 400 children competing last year.

“Numbers have increased by around 150 each year, and this year it promises to be the biggest event yet!

“The support provided by the Cigna staff is fantastic, getting out there along the waterfront course encouraging the kids along the way. Parents are also welcome to run alongside their kids.”

To provide an event for those of college age and older, Athletics Wellington is running a Wellington Open 5km timed event which will kick off at 6pm, also starting and finishing at Waitangi Park.

Cigna and Sport Wellington are partners in the hugely successful Cigna Round the Bays event that is held in February each year. Next year marks the 40th anniversary for the event which will be held on Sunday February 19. Registrations open on 1 November.

Entries for the Cigna Kids Waterfront Fun Run can be made online at https://www.athleticshub.co.nz/events and also on the day, with an entry fee of $10.00. The first event starts at 4.30pm.

ENDS

About Athletics Wellington

Athletics Wellington is the regional body of Athletics New Zealand charged with the promotion and development of athletics, cross country and road running in the Wellington region. We have clubs for adults and children throughout the wider Wellington region. There is something for everyone no matter what their shape, size, and strength of ability. Athletics Wellington covers all disciplines including athletics, cross country, road running, walking plus organised events and competitions run in partnership with our local clubs.

About Cigna New Zealand

Cigna Life Insurance New Zealand Ltd is the place that New Zealanders go to for their health, wellness and sense of security solutions. Cigna has had New Zealander’s backs for nearly a century, and with in-depth local consumer and industry knowledge protects more than 295,000 New Zealanders with insurance policies. Our products and services include life, funeral, income protection, trauma, accidental death, cancer cover, travel and bill protection insurance. We also make our products available to partner companies to retail in their own names. Cigna New Zealand is part of Cigna Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and has an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating which was given by A.M Best Company Inc. Visit www.cigna.co.nz for more information and links to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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