Oaklands Milk
MEDIA RELEASE – 23rd June, 2014
Oakland’s Farm – Making the Milk Run.
Nelson dairy farmer Mr Julian Raine has teamed up with the Rod Dixon KiDSMARATHON™ programme to bring the inaugural
“Oakland’s Milk Run” to Nelson.
KiDSMARATHON is a 8-10 week "In School" running and nutrition education program that enables school children to complete a full marathon by running
approximately 3 miles per week. Throughout the program, participants learn the value of good exercise and nutrition
habits for healthy living. The program is completed in grand fashion as each child finishes the "Final Mile" of their marathon distance in front of cheering fans, friends, and family.
This year is the second year of the Rod Dixon KiDSMARATHON™ with over 1200 school children participating - 3 times as
many as in 2013. Nelson, Stoke and Richmond school children who have been taking part in the programme are all due to
complete the last ‘mile’ of their ‘marathon’ on Sunday June 29th, 2014 at Saxton Field, and this event will be preceded
by the inaugural “Oaklands Milk Run” at 10:30 a.m. - a 5km run starting at Saxton Field and incorporating the adjacent
Raine family farm.
Mr Raine and family, recently met with Olympic Medalist and two time World Cross Country Championship Medalist, Rod
Dixon at their farm in Stoke, to plan the fun 5 km cross country run which will be open to the public. Trophy cups and
Oakland’s milk tokens will be presented to winners and runners up, with spot prizes on the day.
Mr Raine says “We were thrilled to be approached by the Rod Dixon KiDSMARATHON™ Foundation, we see heaps of children
come up to buy their milk from the vending machines at our farm gate following Saturday morning sports, and drink it
straight from the bottle, so to be involved in an event like this is really great.”
Ms Debra Lautenslager, Nelson Coordinator for Rod Dixon KiDSMARATHON™, says “We often work with partners who host events
that coincide with the grand finale of the KiDSMARATHON™ eight week programme and on this occasion Rod saw the potential
of Oakland’s Milk as the perfect partner to fit within our mission to create a life-long commitment to good health and
fitness habits in children.”
The Rod Dixon KiDSMARATHON™ programme is delivered free to schools in Nelson through the generous support of Oaklands
Milk, Sport Tasman and the Haven Sports Trust.
Registration for the Oaklands Milk Run costs $10 and opens at 9:00 a.m. at Saxton Field on Sunday June 29th June.
Ends.