Mother's Day fun run/walk coming to Rotorua

Jennian Homes Mother's Day Fun Run. Photo/Evan Barnes Shuttersport Limited

The Jennian Homes Mother's Day Fun Run/Walk in support of women's heart health will this year be held in Rotorua for the first time this year.

More than 13,000 people throughout New Zealand are expected to take part in the 5km event on Sunday, May 13 with 33 events being held simultaneously from Paihia to Invercargill.

Rotorua is one of 10 new locations, with walkers and runners setting off at 10am on Mother's Day.

Other newcomers to the event include Cambridge, Taupo, Napier, Blenheim, and Wanaka.

Now in its seventh year, the annual event supports 'Heart Foundation for Women', in what is the Heart Foundation's 50th anniversary year.

Each location will have up to three Commonwealth Games athletes helping with the warm-up, and all participants will receive an official event t-shirt designed by iconic New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell that features the word 'fifty' in the shape of a love heart to acknowledge the anniversary year.

"Heart disease is the single biggest killer of women in New Zealand, claiming the lives of more than 55 women each week," Heart Foundation medical director Gerry Devlin said.

"Jennian Homes has been a loyal supporter of the Heart Foundation for almost a decade. Since the Heart Foundation began, it has invested more than $65 million into heart research and specialist cardiac training. Jennian Homes has made a significant contribution to this.

"We are excited to see so many new locations introduced to the event this year, which should see the biggest turnout ever."

Jennian Homes COO Aidan Jury said they were also appealing for more men to get out and show their support.

"They say behind every great man is a great woman – the reverse is also very much true. This event brings women and their health to the forefront and it would be great to see the men in their lives taking an active support role - whether that's looking after the kids so mum can get some training in, cheering her on from the sidelines or even lacing up their running shoes and joining in," Jury said.

For a full list of locations and to register for the 5km event go to http://www.jennianmothersday.com/.