Wellington, Thursday 24 February, 2011.

An exciting international sporting and fundraising initiative for Canterbury residents affected by the Christchurch quake will take place at Wellington’s Newtown Park on Saturday.

Top international and Olympic athletes were to compete in Christchurch this Saturday at the International Track Meet (ITM) at QEII Park. Since the cancellation of this event, and with most of the track stars already in the country, the athletes decided to hold an alternative event in Wellington and raise money for The Salvation Army’s relief work in Canterbury.

The world class athletes confirmed so far include: Nick Willis (Olympic silver medalist), Alan Webb (US mile record holder), Lee Emanuel (British representative and sub-four minute miler) and many more international and New Zealand-based track stars.

“Track Meet 4 Christchurch” is organised by the athletes themselves and is to be run in association with the New Zealand Olympic Committee, which will present Nick Willis with his long-awaited Olympic silver medal at the beginning of the event at 5:00pm.

Spectator entry to the track meet is free. However, The Salvation Army will be there to receive donations for the Christchurch relief effort.

Willis says that in response to the events in Christchurch the athletes wanted to do something to help out.

‘We hope to see at least five athletes break the magic four-minute barrier. And we hope to get a large crowd and raise as many funds for the Christchurch people as possible,’ he says.

Salvation Army spokesman Major Robbie Ross says the initiative is a wonderful and selfless gesture to those Cantabrians dealing with the agonies of trauma of profound loss.

The Salvation Army urges all Wellingtonians who would like to support their fellow Kiwis in dire need to attend this special event and donate to the earthquake relief fund.

Donations can also be made to The Salvation Army’s appeal online at http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/earthquake-appeal/ or freephone 0800 53 00 or post: ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’ The Salvation Army, PO Box 27 001 Marion Square, Wellington 6141, New Zealand

Details:
Event Name: Track Meet 4 Christchurch
Date: Saturday 26 February at 5pm
Website: www.nzrun.com

ENDS

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