Race Trio Successfully Conquer Charity Trainathon

velocimedia
Press Release
For immediate release
04-06-09

Race Trio Successfully Conquer Charity Trainathon

Porsche GT3 Cup driver Jono Lester and Toyota Racing Series drivers Alastair Wootten and Michael Burdett have successfully completed the New Zealand Motorsport Trainathon, held in conjunction with the World Vision 40 Hour Famine on May 22-24.

In an attempt to raise funding and awareness for children living in poverty, Lester, Wootten and Burdett began fitness training at the Millennium Institute of Sport & Health at 08:00pm on Friday May 22.

In a regime that included a plethora of exercises from the generic cycling, jogging, swimming, weight training, core and stretching to rock climbing, basketball, boxing, dance and specialist training with a number of New Zealand’s Olympic athletes, the trio powered through two gruelling days and nights to finish in the company of family, friends and supporters at 12:00pm noon on Sunday May 24 – a total of 40 hours later.

In doing so, they raised thousands of dollars for the World Vision 40 Hour Famine through online donations, sponsorship, donation boxes and charity auctions on the TradeMe website.

Wootten, Lester and Burdett at the start of the Trainathon [Click for High Res]
Given that a $1000 dollar donation to the 40 Hour Famine will provide six months of emergency feeding for 410 children and 240 mothers suffering from malnutrition, the impact made by the efforts of the Trainathon are well recognised by the World Vision Organisation.

"World Vision is grateful for the support of the 40 hour Trainathon team. Their enduring challenge produced great results - not only were they successful in setting a world record, but children living in poverty overseas will have hope through the funds they raised," said Famine representative Kelly Zander.

The Millennium Institute of Sport & Health – New Zealand's world class sports training facility – provided its extensive facilities, carded Olympic athletes and hands-on support to the Trainathon, including staff on hand around the clock to ensure the Trainathon ran smoothly.

"The boys did an amazing job and trained hard even at the point of exhaustion. All I can say is thank goodness it wasn't a Danceathon!" commented MISH Gym Assistant Tracey Lambrechs, referring to the 03:00am Dance Class Lester, Wootten and Burdett took in the early hours of Sunday morning.

On the Bikes [Click for High Res]
The trio also set a world record for ‘The World’s Longest Fitness Training Session’, which is to be officially confirmed and recognised in the coming weeks.

“This was most certainly the toughest thing each of us has ever done,” Lester said.

“The workload was bearable so long as we made sure none of us pushed too hard early on at risk of burning out, but 40 hours! It’s a hell of a long time.”

“It was truly exhausting just staying awake for 40 hours,” Wootten commented.

“But to put our bodies through the immense strain of constant exercise as well was a tremendous challenge.”

“We did it though!” Burdett mused.

“There were highs and lows throughout, and we’d be lying if after 12 hours we honestly believed we could complete the task, but it came off and it's fair to say we rested easy on Sunday night!”

Cooling off in the Pool [Click for High Res]
More information on the Trainathon including press information and video reviews are available on the official Trainathon website – www.trainathon.co.nz

Interested donators can still contribute to the cause at www.famine.org.nz/trainathon or by bidding on one of the remaining charity auctions on TradeMe by searching ‘Trainathon’.

The valued support of the Trainathon’s Official sponsors must also be recognised, with a big thank you going out to Toyota New Zealand and the Toyota Racing Series, Blackwoods Paykels and JBS Tools, World Vision New Zealand, the Millennium Institute of Sport & Health, Adidas, Webdesign, Horleys Nutrition, BRAKE Cafe, Dr. Paul Smedley, Reef Sports, Radio Hauraki, Sign Net, AIMO Print and B&B Holdings & The Sign Factory; Just Juice and Sanitarium.

Plans are already underway for another New Zealand Motorsport famine event for next year’s World Vision 40 Hour Famine, of which Jono Lester, Alastair Wootten and Michael Burdett are sure to be involved.

ENDS

Check out the hourly Trainathon updates online at Check out the hourly Trainathon updates online at www.youtube.com/trainathon40
The 2009 New Zealand Motorsport Trainathon

Online Links:
Official Website | www.trainathon.co.nz
40 Hour Famine Donation | www.famine.org.nz/trainathon
TradeMe Charity Auctions | Click Here
YouTube Videos | www.youtube.com/trainathon40
Twitter Updates | www.twitter.com/trainathon
Facebook Fan Page | Click Here

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