Media release

Monday 2 July 2012

Wanted: 15 men willing to run for their lives

Unitec student-led initiative aims to improve mens health and fitness

About 15 Auckland men who do little or no exercise will get the support this year to turn that around, thanks to the initiative of one Unitec student.

Michael McLeod, who is studying towards a Master of Osteopathy, has recruited a group of fellow osteopathy students who will become the support network for the men, helping them set fitness goals and achieve them, while monitoring their musculoskeletal health.

The group is looking for around 15 inactive Auckland men who are willing to take part. As well as aiming for the big goal of the adidas Auckland Marathon, the students and their recruits will be building up their fitness by training for the Unitec Run & Walk Events Series. The series of five running and walking events goes from July to September, and is the official lead-up series to the marathon.

Michael, who also has a Bachelor of Applied Science from Unitec, as well as a teaching diploma and a degree in physical education, exercise and sport science, dreamed up the initiative as a way to help improve mens health outcomes.

Having received a scholarship from the Mens Health Trust New Zealand to help pay for his studies, Michael was keen to pay it forward by driving an initiative that would improve mens health outcomes through increased physical activity.

I had a goal this year that I wanted to run the adidas Auckland Marathon and so decided to recruit other osteopathy students who were interested in running a marathon event as well, so we could train together.

Read the original here:
Wanted: 15 men willing to run for their lives