New Zealanders will once again be taking action in the fight for men’s health, as the time fast approaches for Kiwi men to throw away their razors and embrace the mo for a great cause. Movember is on its way.
This year, New Zealand’s favourite running coach and marathon athlete, Lydia O’Donnell is joining forces with entrepreneur, reality TV star and familiar household face, Art Green to train for Movember’s biggest challenge yet. The running duo will be flying to America to compete in the New York Marathon, leading the charge in raising funds and awareness for Movember and the Kiwi men they support.
Starting early August, Art and Lydia will be hosting the ‘Movember Running Club’ (MRC) to train for the New York Marathon. They are inviting all Aucklanders to head to the Auckland Domain to join them in participating in ‘Moving’, where Mo-Bro’s and Mo-Sista’s alike are encouraged to join the fight by getting active and going the distance to support men’s health.
The goal of the Movember Running Club is to run the distance between New Zealand and New York (14,000 kms) before the Marathon, with runners of all abilities submitting their training kms in support of Art, Lydia and the cause.
Lydia O’Donnell is an acclaimed Nike+ Run Club Coach as well as a New Zealand Representative in 10,000m, half marathon and full marathon events with a personal best in the full marathon of 2:39:01; a target she intends to beat in her biggest challenge yet, the New York Marathon.
“I am a huge believer in the positive effects of physical activity on your mental health,” says O’Donnell.
“So I am excited to be running such an iconic event for Movember and with help, we hope to be able to run the 14,000km in preparation for the race.”
Art Green, founder of health and wellness companies Clean Paleo and Plate Up, and owner of an impressive yearly Mo, is keen to run his first full marathon. While being active is a huge part of Green’s life, the opportunity to change the face of men’s health in NZ by getting them ‘Moving’ and by ‘Moving’ for them too was something he jumped at.
“Weekly from Wednesday 1 August at 6pm, Art and Lydia will be in Auckland Domain supporting others in their training and running towards their own goals. No matter what level of fitness, everyone is welcome to join and get moving for Movember,” says Robert Dunne, Movember New Zealand Country Manager.
“Being physically active is the best and most accessible tool available to men in the fight against mental health, mens’s cancers and aiding in suicide prevention. Combined with the beneifts of being socially connected and having conversations, the MRC has the potential to be more than just your average running group.”
The Movember Foundation provides the necessary platforms required to engage men early and help them to develop a healthier attitude and behavior toward their well-being, so that they ultimately live healthier, happier and longer lives.
It is a job that cannot be done without help. To register or show your support for Movember this year, visit nz.movember.com.
