A joy to ‘exercise with a purpose’
Some people have to be quite motivated to exercise but walking your dog is a piece of cake.
Sue Honeybone has always enjoyed walking.
‘‘Like a lot of Cantabrians after the earthquakes, I didn’t get out and about as much.’’
Honeybone was preparing to walk the 10-kilometre event in The Press Summer Starter on November 29. About 2000 people had already signed up for the event, now in its second year.
‘‘I want to get to the finish line. I like the idea of doing the whole thing,’’ she said.
Honeybone did the event last year and found it to be ‘‘amazing’’.
The Press Summer Starter event was highly commended in the Best Emerging Event category at the last New Zealand Association of Events Professionals Awards.
More than 4000 people ran or walked the course in 2014, and almost $10,000 was raised for charities.
‘‘It really is just a fun event and it’s good for people in Christchurch to . . . get out there. If you’re not a person who doesn’t enjoy exercise it was good for anyone. It’s good to have exercise with purpose.’’
She did last year’s event with her daughter-in-law, and stepdaughter, Lisa Honeybone.
Sue Honeybone went on to do the City to Surf and walked the Christchurch half marathon.
She walked a couple of times a week, and teamed up with friends for a walk at Bottle Lake forest every Saturday.
The women met at 8am every time with their dogs.
‘‘It’s a nice way to start the weekend. Dogs love it and are a great way to get you out exercising.’’
Honeybone’s spoodle, Baxter, was a regular attendee.
‘‘Like the Summer Starter, it doesn’t seem like exercise. Some people have to be quite motivated to exercise but walking your dog is a piece of cake.’’
Furry friends could take part in this year’s 4km Summer Starter event from Ti Rakau Reserve, and a Dog Shuttle would be available.
The women all lived in Burwood when they started their walking group three years ago. Two now lived in North Canterbury after their homes were red-zoned, but they continued to attend the morning walking sessions.
‘‘It’s really lovely. I still think that Christchurch and Canterbury has so many walks on our back doorstep,’’ Honeybone said. ‘‘You don’t need special clothing or shoes. You don’t need a timetable – you just go’’
The Summer Starter – accessible to all ages and abilities – reflected her ideals.
‘‘I like the fact that anybody can do it.’’
Honeybone had chosen to support the SPCA, which was one of six charities supported through the event.
The other charities involved were Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group, Ronald McDonald House, Child Cancer Foundation and Clown Doctors.
Honeybone had always been a ‘‘gym girl’’ and into yoga, but only recently developed her love of walking .
Last summer she walked the Rapaki track for the first time.
‘‘That’s a real test. When I first started walking, it that was a challenge and a half.’’
Enter the Summer Starter now at summerstarter.co.nz