New Zealand's double Olympic medalist Nick Willis is set to launch his Miler Method initiative in Rotorua.
New Zealand's double Olympic medallist Nick Willis is set to launch his unique global sports initiative in Rotorua.
The top middle-distance runner and his wife, Sierra, created Miler Method - a five-week global specialised boot camp to help local people train to run a mile. The programme starts locally on Wednesday.
Each participant will receive a customised digital training plan from the pair and online coaching as well as weekly group workout hosted by appointed Rotorua coaches Kim Stevenson and Jason Cameron.
Willis said he chose Rotorua as a place to launch Miler Method in New Zealand because of the "tight-knit" community and aimed to inspire people of all ages and sporting abilities.
"Up until this point, our model has been online boot camps with people from all over the world interacting with each other. But we wanted to try a more community-based project and use local coaches to create an even better team atmosphere," Willis said.
"Rotorua is a tight-knit community and there's a strong passion for running, so it seemed the perfect place. But this isn't just for runners - it's for everyone. It would be great to have more people hop off the couch, and increase their activity levels."
New Zealand's double Olympic medalist Nick Willis has had a career filled with success on the track. PHOTO/ FILE
Willis will be bringing plenty of running experience with him, having won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio over 1500m.
The athlete also won medals from three consecutive Commonwealth Games, including a gold in 2006 in Melbourne, Australia and holds the national and Oceania 1500m record.
"I have a wealth of experience to draw upon to encourage and guide people and help participants avoid many of the injury pitfalls that rookie runners can face," he said.
Participants of Rotorua's Miler Method will finish their five-week challenge on Wednesday, March 1 during the Lake City Athletic Club night of miles event at the Rotorua International Stadium.
Nick Willis in action during the heats of the men's 1500m at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. PHOTO/ FILE
Stevenson, the head coach of Rotorua's Miler Method and long distance coach for Lake City Athletic Club, said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Rotorua.
"This is unbelievable to have Nick involved - he's New Zealand's top middle-distance runner and one of the best in the world," Stevenson said. "This is a great system to get your average citizen out to run what is a very famous distance - the mile, which is popular all over the world."It's much more than achievable than longer distances that can scare people off. You can see the improvement a lot quicker and not many people get the opportunity to say they've trained alongside an Olympic medallist - what an opportunity.
Cameron added: "The mile running distance is iconic and it's accessible for everyone. It doesn't matter what running ability you have. People could use this to kick-start their fitness or get their level up to compete in other sports. And what a way to finish the challenge running round the stadium with Nick."
Willis will then be among the star lineup for this year's third annual New Zealand Speedgolf Open at the Arikikapakapa Golf Course, Rotorua, in the first weekend of March.
Miler Method is also open to residents from the whole Bay of Plenty region but all training sessions will be held in Rotorua.
For more information about Rotorua's Miler Method and registration visit here and contact Jason Cameron on (027) 2498 020.
Saturday: Puarenga Park, behind MIGS Gym, from 9am.
Cost: $60 US dollars ($84 NZ dollars)
*Starts: Wednesday, January 25 and finishes Wednesday, March 1 during Lake City Athletic Club's night of miles event at the Rotorua International Stadium.
