Duathlon a chance to burn off holiday kilos
By DAVID DAWKINS - The Marlborough Express
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Boys, it's time to get off your butts; there's a new event in town.
The Matt Heagney Memorial Marlborough Men's La-Z-Boy Duathlon will hit the streets of Blenheim on Friday, January 22, from 5.30pm.
Modelled on the Sport Marlborough Women's Triathlon, the focus of the new event is on getting men of all levels of fitness to dust off their running shoes and bicycles.
Event organiser and Clubs Marlborough fitness centre manager Lawrence Turner said that women had a top-quality multisport event in Marlborough, as did kids and elite competitors, but he was disappointed it had been a number of years since there had been an event that was achievable by males of all fitness levels.
"I want to get people out and about," Turner said. "It's just after Christmas, so it's a good excuse to burn off some of that extra holiday weight."
The La-Z-Boy will feature an 800m walk/run along the Taylor River Bank before they jump on bikes for a 5.5km journey along the riverbank to Taylor Pass Rd, Forest Park Drive and the Wither Hills Carpark.
A 5km walk/run along the base of the Wither Hills to Redwood St and return follows before participants return to pedal power and retrace their tracks back to the Henry St footbridge.
A final 200m run will see competitors reach the finish line in front of Clubs Marlborough.
Turner said some people might find the event challenging, but he felt it was achievable by most people with a little training.
A 12-week training programme is provided with each race entry.
He also challenged the province's fitter males to get involved by dressing up and doing the event for fun and encouraging their workmates, friends or family members to enter.
The event is open to all males 14 years or older and entry is $15.
Turner said race packs would contain drink and food vouchers for Clubs Marlborough and there would be numerous spot prizes, including at least one La-Z-Boy from Furniture to Go.
Entry forms are available from Clubs Marlborough reception, Spokesman Avantiplus and Sport Marlborough at Marlborough Lines Stadium.
Entries will be taken up to race day, but to be eligible for spot prizes they must be received by Monday, January 18.
