Leon - the Heart Racer for AKL Marathon

2010 is the year of the Marathon (42.195km run) and it is the 2500th anniversary of the original marathon. For the past half year, I have been training for my first marathon.

If you're in Auckland on Sunday 31 October why not come on out to support your fellow runners, be part of the fun and enjoy the experience. I would love to see you along the way!

For those who may be interested, I did my first 10k run non-stop in February this year, enjoyed it heaps and things took off since then.

Obviously my goal is to finish the race, a good goal is to do it in 4 hours and a challenging goal is under 3h 50m. With you support and encouragement, I will get there.

Running is an excellent way to keep in shape, maintain a healthy heart and mind. Heart disease are widespread but many associated risk factors are preventable. I have consciously made a lifestyle choice and now I'm a Heart Racer and I'm inviting you to join in the race to save lives against heart disease.

Each day 16 New Zealanders die as a result of coronary heart disease. That's one person every 90 minutes. And many of these deaths are premature and preventable.

Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke & blood vessel disease) is the single leading cause of death in New Zealand. It causes 40 percent of all deaths annually in our country - making it more deadly than all forms of cancer.

The nature of who is affected by it is changing. New research shows that young adults in their 20s and 30s are being admitted to hospital for heart attacks more than ever before, and that this age group is dying at a faster rate than people of the same age in previous generations. Much of this change is due to unhealthy lifestyles - poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and being a smoker.

But the good news is that many risk factors for heart disease are preventable, if people make healthy lifestyle choices.

So, help me as I join the race to beat heart disease.

I've signed up as a Heart Racer to raise money to support the Heart Foundation. By donating through my webpage you will be helping the Heart Foundation continue its vital work in research, cardiac rehabilitation, education programmes and resources.

I'll do all the hard work (train for and complete the event), but I really need you to make a difference to the hearts of New Zealanders.

So, please could you sponsor me?

Select the "Make a donation" button below. It's simple, fast and totally secure and the money goes directly to the Heart Foundation's bank account.

If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued.

So please help me today! And pass it on to your family and friends!

Many thanks for your support

Cheers
Leon