YMCA challenge keeping Tokoroa fit

Some ask ‘‘why’’ but those taking part know it’s to get ‘‘fit’’.

Since August 21, 150 people have been taking part in the Tokoroa YMCA’S 12-week Yfit Community Challenge as a way of promoting healthy lifestyles for families.

The challenge is seeing participants, both young and old, completing various weekly challenges such as walking around Lake Moananui and following exercise routines at home.

South Waikato YMCA executive director Amanda West said the programme was being run as a pilot but the response so far had been nothing but positive.

‘‘The aim is to get everyone involved and engaged with the YMCA, with their children and families to promote healthy lifestyles through health and fitness,’’ she said.

‘‘We thought we would get around 50 and expected some of them would probably drop off but we ended up with 150 and the level of enthusiasm has been through the roof.’’

‘‘There are lots of individual challenges but seeing entire families doing exercise has been really cool. It’s been huge and really positive, ‘‘she said.

West said a number of participants will also be taking part in the November 4 Total Sport Taniwha event on the Waikato River Trails.

The challenge offers mountain bike, trail run, and walk categories of varying distances.

‘‘I have been involved with the event since year one, either competing myself or helping behind the scenes, and it is fun and family friendly which is a nice change from competitive events,’’ West said.

‘‘We are lucky enough to have five free entries donated by Total Sport and two by the Waikato River Trails so those have gone out as prizes to those taking part in the Yfit Community Challenge.’’ ‘‘Being able to build the Taniwha into it has been quite cool and those taking part are feeling good but there are a few who are nervous too as they have never done events like this in their lives,’’ she said.

West said while she will not be competing this year she will be at the finish line supporting those who are.

‘‘I’d just really encourage competitors to have fun and give it a go. It’s a chance to capitalise on what we have in our backyard,’’ she said.