Immediate release
Friday 30th April
40 Hours of Fitness for 40 Hour Famine
Auckland. In May (21-23), five young motorsport racers will trade the racetrack for the treadmill in a 40 hour
trainathon to help children in need in the developing world.
Led by Jono Lester and Alastair Wootten, the team of five will complete 40 hours of running, swimming, cycling,
weight-lifting, and a Zumba class at the Millennium Institute of Sport. The fit philanthropists have also enlisted the
support of high-performance athletes to help them endure the challenge.
The drivers hope to complete the equivalent of one month’s fitness in 40 hours to raise awareness and funds for the 40
Hour Famine which supports children overseas who are living without the basics we often take for granted – everyday
things such as nutritious food, clean water, and access to healthcare and an education.
Lester and Wootten dreamed up the trainathon idea in 2009, after deciding that going without food for 40 hours wasn’t
for them.
“We did the 40 Hour Famine at school when we were younger, so decided to do something a little different and physically
challenging, while still having fun,” said Lester.
After successfully completing the 40-hour challenge in 2009, they invited fellow drivers Richie Stanaway, Andrew Vincent
and Sam Robinson to join them in 2010.
Helen Carter, World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine Manager, said the heartland of 40 Hour Famine is going without food, but it
is so exciting to see young Kiwis finding challenging and creative ways to do the Famine. Last year, two world records
and a national record were set, including the 40-hour trainathon.
“We are inspired by the enthusiasm of the Trainathon team who have decided to give the 40 Hour Famine another go. It’s
great to see such talented young men behind our cause, and motivating others to get involved!” added Helen.
This year, 40 Hour Famine funds will be used for the likes of rainwater tanks at schools to provide children with clean
water; school books and bicycles in India, so that children can go to school; vegetable seedlings and fish, so that
Cambodian children can have nutritious food to eat; and HIV and AIDS kits so that Rwandan caregivers can support people
living with HIV and AIDS.
ENDS