REAL finished the 2012 series on a high note at Ambury Park on Sunday April 29. More than 1000 women and their families and friends flocked to the park for a wonderful day out.
The funky Contours gym team led a mass zumba warm-up that had everyone laughing and made a great start to the event’s party atmosphere.
The finale was a dress-up kind of day with everything imaginable coming across the finish line - an orange, a butterfly, All Black supporters, a policewoman, lots of ballet girls in tutus – what fun!
It was great to close the curtain with so many ladies taking up all the options: 600 doing the 10km cycle in the duathlon, nearly 200 doing the 20km option, and 300 doing the 5km walk or run.
The REAL Group Challenge attracted lots of interest and the largest group in the entire series – 38 in the NNJG Group, or No Nuts, Just Guts as they call themselves. The group won a prize for each member of the group. Team leader Denise Krum emailed REAL to say they are keen to give the series another crack next year.
Our long-stayers this season – six women who have done all nine 2012 duathlons – were welcomed on stage and presented with t-shirts that said: Nothing like the REAL finish … 9 times! Exceptionally well done to Vicki Galea, Peta Gibb, Lyn Barraclough, Tracey Jarman, Marnell Catlett and Vanessa Carr.
Vicki’s mum Valma, 82, enjoyed the 5km event and was joined by Vicki to cross the finish line in triumph together. What a special photo this made!
Farewell and a big thank you to Ted
REAL was sad to farewell Ted Pearce who has been with us since the beginning of the series back in 2007, in charge of equipment and setting up at each venue. All the women taking part in the series have come to know him as the friendly guy who’s always ready to lend a helping hand, especially with the bikes.
We don’t know how we’ll manage without you, Ted.
At the finale at Ambury Park, REAL regulars Valley and Lane baked a massive cake for him iced with the message; Farewell Ted, It’s been REAL.
The REAL Family
REAL has become a family – a sisterhood – of women throughout New Zealand and a supportive family of sponsors who share our ideals.
We are grateful to our fantastic family of sponsors, in particular the Health Sponsorship Council for adding an extra dimension to our 2012 series with its Breakfast Eaters Promotion. We are all now well aware of the role that a nutritious breakfast plays in powering us through the day.
It might be the finish of the series but we will stay in touch year-round through newsletters and our homepages. The events are but one part of the REAL experience. It is about supporting women and sharing information about issues that are pertinent to them and to their families’ wellbeing.
Regular exercise, active lives … there’s nothing like it!
