Tariana puts talk of healthy lifestyle into action

Media Release

8 April 2011

Tariana and her ‘angels’ put talk of healthy lifestyle into action at REAL Women’s Duathlon

Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia and 10 members of her staff will walk the talk about the need for healthy lifestyles when they join in the non-competitive Wellington REAL Women’s Duathlon on Sunday (April 10).

Forming four relay teams and calling themselves Tari’s Angels, they will cycle as well as walk or jog the 15 kilometre “by foot and bike” duathlon starting from Cog Park on Evans Bay Parade.

Mrs Turia said the duathlon, with its motto of ‘Regular Exercise, Active Lives’ for women of all ages, cultures and fitness levels, helps women become role models for their whanau.

“Empowering whanau to help themselves is a vital element of the Whanau Ora support programme for which I am responsible,” Mrs Turia said.

“We understand how important it is for women to lead by example when we consider the studies that show a decline in physical activity and healthy eating after the age of 10 years.

“Families turn out in force at the REAL duathlons to cheer on their women. I am on my own personal hikoi for health and have experienced for myself the benefits of the staunch support of my whanau.

“I am firmly of the view that the wealth of the nation rests in the health of whanau.”

The Health Sponsorship Council is the principal partner of the REAL series and is bringing a focus on healthy eating.

Michelle Mako, the council’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Manager, said, “Breakfast-eaters have it better; that’s our message to the REAL participants.

“We’re telling women that you might think you and the kids are doing okay without breakfast, but all the studies show that breakfast kick-starts your body to cope with the stresses of the day.”

REAL = Regular Exercise, Active Lives

The REAL Women’s Series is an annual outdoor exercise and lifestyle event that spans four months nationwide from January through April and is designed for women of all ages, cultures and fitness levels.

Now in its fifth year, it has attracted about 35,000 entries since the REAL brand started in 2007. Many women return year after year and do several of each season’s duathlons. A triathlon and five-kilometre walks were added to this year’s line-up of activities.

Each duathlon is a scenic journey - a 3.5km walk/run, 10km bike, followed by a 1.5km walk/run - laid out in nine venues from Orewa to Queenstown. Women can do the whole course by themselves or as a relay team.

Wellington is the eighth in the 2011 series. The finale is at Ambury Regional Park, Manukau, on Sunday April 17.

“Our events are not competitive; everyone’s effort is celebrated. Every woman is a winner for crossing the finish line,” Event Director Jane Patterson said.

“The REAL series is about real Kiwi women who juggle busy lives, are supportive of one another and enjoy an occasional indulgence. They may not have the ‘perfect’ body but all enjoy improving their lives and joining together in events. The ‘REAL spirit’ is enhanced when everyone wears the REAL tee-shirt which is provided in the entry fee.

“REAL unashamedly has a larger purpose - our events are a milestone on the path to a healthy lifestyle for women and their families. It helps that all our sponsors are also committed to this cause. The value of this holistic approach is reinforced each season as feedback reveals that ordinary women gain immensely in self esteem from physical achievement and that this inspires them to encourage others to do the same.”

For more information, visit www.realduathlon.co.nz.

ENDS

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