Age is not a barrier!

11 February 2019

As excitement builds for the 2019 Brendan Foot Supersite Round the Bays fun run/walk this coming Sunday, 17 February, inspiring stories as to why participants are getting involved have been coming in.

Sport Wellington, organisers of Round the Bays, held a competition where entrants were asked why they love to #getinvolved. Lower Hutt local Toni Coleman shared why she is participating in this year’s Round the Bays, “I'm about to turn 55 and each year it gets harder to stay fit and healthy. By entering, I have a goal to work towards, and can download a plan to stick to. It really helps to keep me motivated and to keep me healthy, fit, and young!”

Clare Harris, a Porirua resident shared, “In 2013 I made the decision to look fab at 50. After losing 50kg and was introduced to park run I was encouraged to give RTB a go ... and have done so every year since with a goal of increasing my time. I have since found fun runs quite addictive and make me persist to achieve further goals!”

Like Harris, Ann King from Karori has also found a love of fun run/walking events, “When I began training for RTB 2017 I was 49 and hadn't planned on taking on anything so energetic. I've had issues with my legs and the first physio I saw told me I was too old to take up running and should go walking instead, so I sought a second opinion and got good medical advice on strengthening my legs, running more efficiently and the importance of good footwear.

I've met plenty of people since who have taken up running later in life. It's not too late to start! I hope everyone who participates in RTB 2019 enjoys the day no matter your age, fitness or whether you consider yourself an athlete or not. It can be the start of an amazing journey.”

So far 125 people aged 70+ have registered, and 460 people aged 60+, proving that age is not a barrier to participation!

Starting at Frank Kitts Park and ending at Kilbirnie Park, Round the Bays will see thousands of participants take part in the Fiji Airlines 6.5km fun/walk, Sport Wellington Active Families 6.5km where children 12 and under can ride their scooters, More FM 6.5km Buggy Walk, Bluebridge 10km and NZCT Half Marathon events – with the NZCT half marathon runners making their way out to a turn-around point at Scorching Bay.

It’s not too late! Head to www.wellingtonroundthebays.co.nz to register and add to the thousands of inspiring Round the Bays #getinvolved stories!

ENDS

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