PHOTO/SUPPLIED
More than 1000 athletes from 200 secondary schools around New Zealand will get expert foot advice from Bay of Plenty's Podium Podiatry and Footwear following confirmation today the company will sponsor the New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country championships in Rotorua.
Meanwhile, Rotorua Lakes Council has announced an eight-week training programme for Rotorua students planning on competing in the championships.
Podium Podiatry and Footwear owner Matt Fraser said he was thrilled to add his support to the 43rd annual national event held at Agrodome on June 18 and 19. It is the first time Rotorua has hosted the championships.
"This is an event widely recognised as a nurturing ground for future Commonwealth, world and Olympic performers and champions like triathlete Hamish Carter, middle distance runner Nick Willis and mountain runner Jonathan Wyatt.
"It is vital that athletes get the right fit for their feet as it can help reduce the risk of injury," said Mr Fraser.
The sponsorship gives Podium Podiatry and Footwear naming rights to the championship and will be supporting athletes and their families by offering discounts off running shoes and running spikes leading into the event and on the race day.
To give Rotorua secondary school students a head-start for the championships, Rotorua Lakes Council major events co-ordinator Jason Cameron has announced there will also be an eight-week training programme starting on Monday April 11 until Monday June 6.
"This programme will help students set their sights on the Podium NZ Secondary Schools Cross Country championships.
"It's a very cool eight-week activation programme which includes running sessions at Rotorua's coolest places, gym fit sessions at Rotovegas Boxing Gym and fortnightly Wise Up sessions with helpful advice on a range of topics.
"They include goal setting, training principles, cooking for athletes, stretching, gear and event preparation."
Students who complete the programme will get a free Run Rotorua hoodie valued at more than $75. In addition there will be weekly prizes from Pita Pit Redwoods Centre and Reading Cinema Rotorua.
The championships, at Agrodome's lower A & P Oval, and the adjacent Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands farmland, are expected to attract in the vicinity of 2000 spectators.
The first race, on Saturday June 18, starts at 10am, the last at 1pm. The awards ceremony will be held at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre at 4.30pm.
It is one of the most diverse gatherings of secondary school sporting talent on the national secondary schools sports calendar with talent from a wide range of sporting codes represented.
On Sunday June 19, the inaugural New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics Association Regional Relay Championship will take place with teams representing 19 regions competing in a 5 x 2 km relay for boys and girls in year 9, junior and senior grades.
The morning will also include a local 4 x 1km community relay for locals and visitors on the course.