REAL Women’s Series event returns to Christchurch

Media Release
5 February 2012

REAL Women’s Series event returns to Christchurch after earthquake

The popular REAL Women’s Series of outdoor lifestyle exercise events returns to Christchurch on Sunday Marc h 18, a year after the event had to move to Ashburton following the city’s devastating earthquake.

About 650 women are expected to participate in either the non-competitive duathlon (by foot and bike) or the 5km walk/run – both events held alongside each other - at the National Equestrian Centre on McLeans Island.

Event Director Jane Patterson said, “We’re thrilled to be staging REAL in Christchurch again.

“We know this has been – and still is - a very challenging time for our Christchurch participants. We hope our decision to bring REAL back to Christchurch shows them our commitment to playing some small part in rebuilding the city and providing local women with an opportunity to do something for themselves. “

Entry to the McLean’s Island event has been discounted for Christchurch women in recognition that the decision to spend money on leisure right now may well be considered a luxury, she said.

“Perhaps get some friends and family together and just do some walking and enter REAL’s 5km walk event. Treat it like group therapy – with REAL as the excuse to take some time out together just to walk and talk.”

Women from all over New Zealand are travelling to Christchurch to join with Cantabrians in celebrating the event’s return to the city.

They include Vicki Galea, 55, from Auckland who is treating the event as the start of her first ever cycling tour, biking from Christchurch to Queenstown where she will take part in the REAL Women’s Series duathlon there the following weekend. Mrs Galea is one of several women travelling round the country to join in all nine of the nationwide REAL events.

REAL stands for Regular Exercise, Active Lives and the non-competitive outdoor exercise events are intended to encourage all women, whatever their age, culture or level of fitness, to develop a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their families. The nine events staged over three months around New Zealand include duathlons (by foot and bike), 5km walk/runs and a triathlon (Mt Maunganui).

Entry into REAL events comes with a goodie bag including this season’s event t-shirt and a range of sponsors’ offers. For further information, visit www.realseries.co.nz.

Christchurch event details
Date: Sunday 18 March 2012
Scheduled Start Time: 9.00am
8:20am Briefing
8:35am Warm-up
8:45am Marshalling into groups by your wave number
9:00am 1st waves start
Venue: McLeans Island Christchurch
Duathlon Distance: Run/Walk 3.5km - Bike 10km - Run/Walk 1.5km
Run/Walk Distance: 5km - Run/Walk
Online Entry Closing Date: Tuesday 13 March 2012
Registration/Goodie Bag Pick Up/Bike Drop Off - Saturday March 17 2012, 12.00pm - 4.00pm

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