January 2012

Kia Motors Gives A Hand To REAL Women

Kia Motors has got behind a series of events to help real women become fitter and healthier in New Zealand.

The REAL Women’s Series is a nationwide programme, based around duathlons (running and cycling), which are designed for women who are less interested in competitive sport, but still want to challenge themselves in the company of others. And this year, the organizers have been given much-needed assistance with transport by Kia Motors, which, Event Director Jane Patterson says, has made a big difference to making the events run smoother.

“We are thrilled that companies like Kia Motors have got behind us,” she says. Her Kia Rio has been especially sign-written so that it also acts as a mobile billboard, spreading the word about the series.

First held five years ago, the REAL Women’s Series has seen more than 32,000 women from all over the country cross the finish line. The 2012 series starts in Auckland on February 12 and on successive weekends moves to Mt Maunganui, Orewa, Christchurch, Queenstown, Rotorua, Wellington and Hawkes Bay, before finishing back in Auckland on April 29.

Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand says the REAL Women’s Series is a good fit with the company’s corporate philosophy of supporting active lifestyles and sport.

“What appeals to Kia about the REAL Women’s Series is that it is inclusive, open to all women who want to challenge themselves to be fitter and healthier, not just high performing athletes, which is good for the wider community,” says Mr McDonald.

The name of the event actually says it all, according to Ms Patterson; it stands for ‘Regular Exercise, Active Lives’.

She says: “I struggled to come up with a name for weeks – nothing seemed quite right until I hit upon that title. It’s about real Kiwi women who juggle busy lives, some at home, some at work and some with both.

“Real women like to socialise and their friends are important in their lives. Real women support one another and they often prefer to participate in groups. Real women may not have the perfect body shape and most enjoy the occasional indulgence. That is what makes a woman a real woman. And that’s the type of woman who benefits from our series. So we think REAL is the perfect name.”

Women are encouraged to sign up as groups, as well as individuals and there are activities to suit everyone, including a five kilometer walk as an option to the traditional duathlon events. For those who are a bit more serious, a triathlon will be staged at the Mt Maunganui meet. All participants receive a T-shirt and other goodies as part of their entry pack.

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