Tauranga fun run and walk for women's heart health

The Jennian Homes Mother's Day Fun Run held last year in Tauranga. Photo/File

A Mother's Day fun/run/walk in support of women's heart health, is returning to Tauranga in May.

The Jennian Homes Mother's Day event will have runners and walkers setting off from Kulim Park at 10am, joining a throng of more than 13,000 participants at 33 locations throughout New Zealand, from Paihia to Invercargill.

Now in its seventh year, the annual event supports Heart Foundation for Women, in what is the Heart Foundation's 50th anniversary year.

This year is expected to be the biggest yet, with events at 10 new locations, including Cambridge, Taupo, Napier, Blenheim and Wanaka.

Each location will have up to three Commonwealth Games athletes assisting with the warm-up, and all participants will receive an official event t-shirt designed by iconic New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell that features the word 'fifty' in the shape of a heart to acknowledge the anniversary year.

"Heart disease is the single biggest killer of women in New Zealand, claiming the lives of more than 55 women each week," says Heart Foundation Medical Director Gerry Devlin.

"The Jennian Homes Mother's Day Fun Run/Walk is a great way to raise much-needed funds and awareness for heart health, and encourage women to look after themselves by being fit and active.

"Jennian Homes has been a loyal supporter of the Heart Foundation for almost a decade. Since the Heart Foundation began, it has invested more than $65 million into heart research and specialist cardiac training. Jennian Homes has made a significant contribution to this.

"We are excited to see so many new locations introduced to the event this year, which should see the biggest turnout ever. It's certainly a fitting way to celebrate the Heart Foundation's 50th anniversary and this most important relationship."

Jennian Homes COO Aidan Jury says mothers play a special part in our lives, making Mother's Day the perfect day to hold an event focused on women's health.

"We are proud to be involved in not only helping to raise money and awareness, but also in encouraging women and their families to get fit and active," he says.

"For some women, the Jennian Homes Mother's Day Fun Run/Walk is life-changing, being the catalyst for an ongoing exercise regime. Those are the real success stories."
While the event is enthusiastically embraced by women the length and breadth of the country, Jennian Homes is this year appealing for more men to get out and show their support.

"They say behind every great man is a great woman – the reverse is also very much true. This event brings women and their health to the forefront and it would be great to see the men in their lives taking an active support role - whether that's looking after the kids so mum can get some training in, cheering her on from the side lines or even lacing up their running shoes and joining in," Aidan says.

Jennian Homes is championing the need for better heart awareness in New Zealand and will be giving $20,000 to the Heart Foundation to support women's heart health following the Mother's Day events.

Early Bird tickets

* $20 for an adult and are available until the end of March. There are also discounted rates for juniors and groups.

*For a full list of locations and to register for the 5km event go to: www.jennianmothersday.com/