Media information
For immediate release
Date: 14 November 2008
DHB "Hard To Miss" At Bridges Race
Waikato District Health Board has 787 staff members in Hamilton's annual Round the Bridges race on Sunday with some
coming from as far away as Taumarunui, Tokoroa and Thames.
It is the second year for the Waikato DHB team - last year 210 entered.
Included in this year's team are board chair Jerry Rickman, chief executive Craig Climo and Health Waikato chief
operating officer Jan Adams.
Healthy Eating Healthy Action (HEHA) project director Janet Hanvey, also taking part, said participation in the event
got an instant response from staff.
"We started promoting it internally in September and the entries just kept on coming."
The HEHA project is sponsoring the staff to enter the event and supplied a t-shirt for everyone to wear on the day.
The shirts are bright red and include the HEHA logo on the back.
"We'll be hard to miss on the day," Ms Hanvey said.
"It will be exciting to see a great sea of red t-shirts on Sunday as Waikato DHB gets out and promotes healthy activity.
"It's a good event for us to sponsor because it's local, caters to a wide range of abilities and enables people to enjoy
getting out and doing exercise together," she said.
Ms Hanvey said the majority of the team entered the 6.2km fun run/walk but a large number were spread across the other
categories too.
"We have some keen runners among us who will be aiming for a top spot in the 12km run," she said.
Waikato DHB chief executive Craig Climo is pleased to see staff walking the talk of physical activity.
"Last year was a buzz with a bit over 200 staff and this year the sea of red shirts will be an awesome sight, I'm really
looking forward to seeing it," he said.
HEHA is the Ministry of Health's strategic approach to increasing physical activity, improving nutrition and achieving a
healthy weight for all New Zealanders.
Ms Hanvey said the event aligns with what HEHA is trying to achieve.
"Creating an environment where people are supported to eat well, live active lives, and maintain a healthy body weight
is crucial to achieving HEHA's vision and that goes for workplaces too.
"The Round the Bridges team is one way we are working to foster a healthier environment for DHB staff," she said.
For more information about HEHA visit www.waikatodhb.govt.nz/HEHA.
ENDS