Hamilton’s iconic road race, New Zealand Home Loans Round The Bridges in association with Hamilton, is 67 years old this year – the same number of years that Hamilton has had “city” status. What started as a road running race to show case New Zealand’s top athletes at the end of World War II, has evolved to include over 4200 recreational and social runners, walkers, wheelchair athletes, teenagers and children from across Hamilton and the Waikato community. This year’s event is on Sunday 13 November 2011.
The nominated charities for this year are McKenzie Centre, Child Matters and Arthritis New Zealand. The continued effort to raise funds is a challenge for all charities, no less so for Arthritis New Zealand as Carol Hall, Regional Fundraiser in the Waikato, explains. “Arthritis is not just an old person’s disease – we have over 1,000 children in New Zealand with arthritis. Our funds are focused on showing the 530,000 New Zealanders with arthritis how to manage their pain every day and continue to live full lives.”
Eveline McKenzie is an arthritis role model – she is 100 years old and a Round The Bridges veteran. “Staying active is the key to staying healthy. I never sit still!” she says. Everyone has their reason for doing the New Zealand Home Loans Round The Bridges whether it’s for the first time or as a seasoned walker or runner looking to make a better time this year. For some it is about celebrating their return to health or marking key milestones in their weight loss programme, and for others it’s just important to have goals to aim for!
For Tony Reglinkski, Diane Johnson and Sunil Fernandez-Ritchie, the motivation for being part of Round The Bridges demonstrates the mettle of human kind. For Tony, it’s about honouring his 12 year old daughter Leah who died in June 2009. The 12km course represents each year of her life. For Tony the run is a struggle, especially as he’s not a runner, as every kilometre represents the struggles that Leah endured during her short life. “She had severe cerebral palsy, she was blind, she could not talk and she was wheelchair bound but her spirit and courage shone through. She is an inspiration and remembering her will help me to complete the run,” explained Tony. “Leah’s birthday is on 8th November so the timing of the event seems appropriate to remember our little girl.”
Eighteen year old Sunil has made his parents very proud. His dad Garth says Sunil loves the 12km course in Round The Bridges explaining, “It’s remarkable because Sunil has an intellectual and physical disability. Remarkable because in spite of his disabilities last year at the age of 17 he finished first in the Round The Bridges 12km results for those under 20 in a respectable time of 47:38 – he was 25th overall.” Garth is quick to point out that you don’t have to come first to overcome challenges but when someone like Sunil does so you can be sure they have overcome challenges. “Sunil went on to represent NZ in the T20 1500 metres at the International Paralympic Committee World Athletics Championships in 2011… I guess my point is that there are many participants in this event who just like Sunil have not let a disability stop them from breaking through barriers and defying expectations.”
For Diane, the battle is on-going – three years ago, she was diagnosed with a condition affecting her brain and spinal cord. Neuro surgery left her with a damaged spinal cord and altered sensation in her feet and leg – she lives with pain daily. “I had more neuro-surgery 14 months ago and started going to the gym to help me with my rehab. I did my first ever 4km run in February and a sponsored half marathon in Wellington – it was my thank you to the neuro-surgeons,” said Diane. She raised $1,000 to buy some equipment for the neuro-surgery clinic. “Every step I take each day is like walking around on feet that are in constant cramp. Before I became ill, I stressed over the little things in life but when something like this happens, it makes you put things into perspective. Life is short and we need to live it and have no regrets.”
About the charities:
New Zealand Home Loans Round The Bridges nominated charities this year are McKenzie Centre, Child Matters and Arthritis New Zealand.
McKenzie Centre helps children under six with special needs throughout the greater Hamilton region reach their potential. More information: http://www.mckenziecentre.nzl.org and www.fundraiseonline.co.nz
Child Matters is dedicated to preventing harm to children in New Zealand by educating, supporting and inspiring adults to protect children. More information: www.childmatters.org.nz
Arthritis New Zealand supports people to find the best ways to manage their arthritis, raise awareness and advocate for improved services, such as medication subsidies and increased rheumatology services. For more information: www.arthritis.org.nz
Full details, including how to enter, are on http://www.roundthebridges.co.nz and www.facebook.com/roundthebridges.
More information
Sehaam Caselberg – 027 562 2128
Communication & Sponsorship Manager
About U Leisure
U Leisure, based at the University of Waikato, designs and delivers leisure experiences that enrich communities in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. We are committed to designing products and services that are engaging, sustainable and promote wellbeing. Thousands of people share in the experience of iconic events such The REV, The Great Race and Round The Bridges. We deliver strategic leisure services to the community and the University of Waikato including sports programmes, assistance to high performance students of the arts and sports, links with sporting alumni, and management of key recreation assets such as the Rec Centre, retail units, sport grounds and courts, and the University pool. For more information: www.uleisure.co.nz.
About New Zealand Home Loans
New Zealand Home Loans offers a debt management system – debtnav –which shows clients how to reduce their debt as quickly as possible. Established in 1996, New Zealand Home Loans is a wholly New Zealand owned and operated company with a nationwide network of franchises located from Whangarei to Invercargill, with the Head Office in Hamilton. The market leading managed home loan, services, tools and processes are designed to help clients and their families manage their home loan more effectively. Specialised Consultants show clients how to make best use of their income, control their debt and deliver options for the future. For more information: www.nzhomeloans.co.nz
About Hamilton
Hamilton is New Zealand’s fourth-largest city, and also one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. Nestled on the Waikato River – the longest waterway in New Zealand – Hamilton is also the hub for a large agri-business economy based on dairy farming, forestry and tourism. Hamilton has established itself as a can-do city capable of hosting world-class events including international sporting fixtures, festivals and concerts and the National Agricultural Fieldays. Near the centre of the Waikato basin, Hamilton also has highly-regarded public gardens, a progressive and attractive museum of history and art, and is a short drive from New Zealand’s rugged and beautiful west coast. For more information: www.hamilton.co.nz.
