Ironmaori promotes healthy lifestyle

DETERMINED: Swimmers at Pandora Pond during the annual Ironmaori Half yesterday morning. Photo/Paul Taylor

Training for Napier's ninth annual Ironmaori Half has changed many entrants' lives.

More than 1500 people took part in the event held yesterday at Pandora Pond which included a 2km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run.

It was created in 2008 to provide a safe and non-judgemental challenge for people wanting to exercise.

For Wellington man, Steven Kidd, Ironmaori was more than a fun (albeit gruelling) event because signing up to compete had changed his life.

"I wanted to do something together as a family to promote fitness, help inspire my kids and lose weight.

"This was my first time at Ironmaori, it was really hard but as an event it was amazing.

"I'm exhausted and sore but now I've got a taste of it I'd like to do it again."

Mr Kidd cycled as part of a team with his son and brother-in-law.

After suffering back problems, Mr Kidd, was told by his doctor he needed to lose weight and, due to his back, cycling was the only exercise he could comfortably do.

When he signed up for the event he upped his 16km cycle to work from once a week to most days and completely changed his family's lifestyle.

His back problems have improved and the whole family has been roped into being healthier, exercising more and eating better.

Having his children aged 9, 10 and 20, see him work so hard towards this has been a great motivator for them to be healthier too, he said.

"They are so proud of me that I was even training for something like this.

"We're all eating better, it's been embraced by the whole family."

Mr Kidd and his family now plan to continue their healthier lifestyle even though he has now finished the event.

"I couldn't say enough good things about the event, the support and good atmosphere make you feel good about yourself."

Hastings resident Chris Petersen has competed in all nine Ironmaori Half events in Napier but was unable to complete the course this year due to a back injury.

She cycled and swam but had to make the tough call to stop after only 5km into the walk/run.

She has been competing each year with a friend and lost 20kg training for her first one.

The training also gave her a focus during a tough time in her life.

"It's made a huge difference to a lot of people as far as lifestyle goes.

Founder Heather Skipworth said she had also spoken to a number of participants whose lives had improved due to the event.

"A man came up to me, he said to me he had heard about Ironmaori at a conference, decided to do it and he's lost 35kg."

The man told her the focus it had given him had changed his life.

On Friday the Tamariki and Rangitahi event was held with about 500 students from 15 schools.

There were also 25 people taking part in the Legend Series which incorporates yesterday's event, last month's Quarter and Tauranga's Enduro race in January.