Local Winter Olympian puts best foot forward for Rotorua Mother's Day event

Ben Sandford. Photo/File

Winter Olympian Ben Sandford will celebrate with and inspire hundreds of people in Rotorua this Mother's Day through an annual fun run event.

Sandford, a three-time Winter Olympian in the individual bobsleigh skeleton in Sochi 2012, Vancouver 2010, and Turin 2006, will help with the warm-up and 5km event at the Jennian Homes Fun Run/Walk at Puarenga Park from 10am on May 13.

Sandford is part of an inspirational drawcard of 50 athletes lending a helping hand at 33 locations nationwide in efforts to improve the heart health of New Zealand women.

Now in its seventh year, the event supports the Heart Foundation for Women campaign.

2018 also marks the Heart Foundation's 50th anniversary year.

Heart disease is the number-one cause of death for women in New Zealand, claiming the lives of more than 50 women each week, and more than 3000 each year.

Other past or present Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes include Black Sticks' Sally Rutherford and Pippa Hayward, track cyclist Olivia Podmore, sailor Alex Maloney, canoeist Luuka Jones, shooter Natalie Rooney, and netballer Shannon Francois.

Jennian Homes chief operations officer Aidan Jury has no doubt having the support of these Kiwi athletes will prove added motivation for everyone to get active and make a great start to their Mother's Day.

"The event continues to grow in popularity each year and we are grateful for these athletes, like Ben, to lend a hand and help save lives and keep more families together.

"It just speaks volumes of everyone's commitment, athletes and the public alike, to help ensure the women we love are with us for many years to come."

This year's event is expected to be the biggest yet, with events at 10 new locations, including Taupo, Napier, Blenheim, Wanaka, and Cambridge.

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