Auckland’s Queen of Hearts

Auckland’s Queen of Hearts

If you think running a half marathon is hard, try doing it in costume! That’s exactly what Remuera resident Nic Miller-Clendon intends to do as she competes in the adidas Auckland Marathon on Sunday 28 October 2007.

Nic is competing in costume for the second year in a row. Her efforts are to promote the National Heart Foundation and raise awareness of Heart Racing.

In 2006 Nic and her husband Simon were Heart Racers together. Nic says, “We wanted to do more than just run another event. For that reason we both ran in heart costumes. We learnt a few things - supporters really get behind you, wearing a giant heart causes a lot of wind resistance, running a half in a heart suit is harder than doing the full marathon and finishing is a real buzz!”

This year Nic intends to compete in a Queen of Hearts costume. Knowing that she is supporting the National Heart Foundation through her running is a great motivational tool.

Each day 16 New Zealanders die as a result of coronary heart disease - that’s one person every 90 minutes. New research shows that more young adults in their 20s and 30s are being admitted to hospital for heart attacks than ever before, and that this age group is dying at a faster rate than people of the same age in previous generations. Much of this change is due to unhealthy lifestyles - poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and being a smoker.

But the good news is that many risk factors for heart disease are preventable, if people make healthy lifestyle choices. More than 150 runners and walkers participated as Heart Racers in last year’s adidas Auckland Marathon, and the Heart Foundation is hopeful of exceeding that number this year.

Nic knows all about heart disease, with her mother’s heart attack and grandmother’s death from coronary heart disease. She says, “I am right behind the National Heart Foundation in seeking an end to these needless deaths from coronary heart disease. By becoming a Heart Racer I am able to make the best possible contribution I can to the fight against it.”

So, get out there and start training this winter and help Nic as she joins the race to beat heart disease by becoming a fellow Heart Racer. It only takes 3 minutes to set up your page online, and you can even earn back your registration fee if you fund raise $400 or more for the Heart Foundation! PLUS every Heart Racer will receive a free pedometer radio and the top five fundraisers will get a free Apple Ipod shuffle. Other prizes including gym memberships are up for grabs too.

To become a Heart Racer or to sponsor a Heart Racer in the upcoming adidas Auckland Marathon on 28 October 2007, simply visit www.heartracer.org.nz or www.aucklandmarathon.co.nz/race/charity.asp

ENDS

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