Mum pushing twins wins mother's day fun run

The first mother across the finish line at the Jennian Homes Mother's Day Fun Run/Walk ran the whole way pushing her 1-year-old twins in their pram.

Noelle Tod was the first woman to cross the finish line at Kulim Park yesterday, only just missing out on first place as a young boy claimed the win, followed by a father-and-son duo.

She saw the event on Facebook on Saturday and, because her mother and sister live seven hours away and her husband was out duck shooting, decided then and there to take part. "It was a good excuse to come and do something."

This was the fourth year the event has been held in Tauranga and the eighth nationwide. It is run in conjunction with the Heart Foundation to support its Go Red for Women campaign.

Three hundred and sixty people took part in the run or walk, in which competitors start at Kulim Park, make their way along the harbourfront to Fergusson Park, then return back to Kulim Park.

Event organiser Jo van Lye of Jennian Homes said in their company at least one-third of its staff have had much-loved women taken by heart disease or heart attacks, which made them proud to be affiliated with the Go Red For Women campaign.

"Not only are we very privileged to build the Heart Foundation Lottery Homes but we get to celebrate women of all ages in the Bay and their heart health by partnering with this wonderful event."

Mrs van Lye said more mother and daughter duos had taken part in this year's event than in previous events, and numbers had also been boosted by a campaign to get schools on board.

One of the event's sponsors, Rebel Sports, had offered a $2500 prize to the school that got the most entrants - won by Greenpark School.

Mrs van Lye said the emphasis of the event was on celebrating a healthy lifestyle rather than on competition.

Signs of a heart attack
- A common symptom for women is the feeling of tightness,
pressure or discomfort in the chest. However, this discomfort
may not always be severe or even the most noticeable
symptom.
- Jaw, neck, shoulder, upper back, abdominal discomfort or
indigestion.
- Shortness of breath; nausea or vomiting; sweating; light-
headedness or dizziness; unusual fatigue.

These symptoms can occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Heart Foundation