ZM Run Swim Series Returns to Get You Fit for Summer

Women from all over the Wellington region are invited to run and swim together over the coming months, and the series kicks off in Karori this Sunday (05.10.08).

The series consists of nine fun events for women involving a run or walk and a swim. Council Community Recreation Programmer Leanne Parsons says it has become a popular fixture on Wellington's summer calendar.

The series is made up of one event in each of the seven Wellington city pools, and one in Upper Hutt and one in Lower Hutt. The distances start small with a 2km run or walk and 200m swim, and get a little longer each time. You can complete each event by yourself or as part of a team. More than 1,000 women got active last summer by participating.

Leanne says the events are a great opportunity for those who care about their health and well-being.

"Participants come along from all over the country," she says. "You don't have to be really fit to take part. This year, we have organised free nutritional workshops and group training to help kick-start anyone who hasn't exercised for a while."

Each event costs $8 or $4 for Community Services Card holders and maps of the courses are displayed at each pool. Entry forms, event details and a training programme are available on the Council's Feeling Great website or at the pools. The pre-race briefings will be held at 8.45am followed by a group warm-up. The runs will start at 9.00am.

This year's highlights include challenge events (twice the distance) at Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre and Freyberg Pool, a Saturday event for churchgoers and buggy friendly events.

You can enter at the pool or post your entry to ZM Women's Run Swim Series, Wellington City Council, PO Box 2199, Wellington.