Charles Clinic’s ‘big heart’ for Run & Walk event

Members of the Charles Clinic Heart Care team getting ready for Sunday’s event.

“The more the merrier!”

This is the message of Launceston’s Charles Clinic Heart Care, who are currently one of the largest teams to have registered for this year’s Run & Walk for Your Heart event.

More than 20 employees from the specialist cardiology clinic have so far registered for Sunday’s heart health awareness event

This includes cardiologist Dr James Mau, who said regular physical activity was essential to a healthy heart.

Dr James Mau said regular physical activity is crucial to a healthy heart.

“A healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, will protect you hopefully against heart disease in the future,” he said.

“There are factors people have that they can’t control, such as genetics.

“So if you inherit that all you can do is comply to a healthy lifestyle – which means eating healthy and regular exercise.

“That’s what this event is about – encouraging people to get moving. It’s about physical activity and trying to keep people fit, according to what they can do.”

Sadly, Northern Tasmania continues to have the highest rate of heart disease in the country, impacting more than 8 per cent of the population. 

A passionate advocate for improving health outcomes in the community, Dr Mau said Run & Walk for Your Heart offered people of all abilities the opportunity to kickstart a more active lifestyle.

“This event caters for everyone ... whether you take a time, or you’re slower or you need some help. There are lots of options for people.”

Now in its 15th year, participants of Run & Walk for Your Heart can choose to walk or run the five-kilometre circuit, starting and finishing at UTAS Stadium.

There is also an 800-metre sprint event for young kids.

As for how competitive the Charles Clinic team will be on the day, Dr Mau said above all else a sense of comradery remained front and centre.

“Exercise with other people improves the enjoyment factor of it and probably means you’ll do it more,” he said.

“At a competitive level, there is a range of people taking part from our team this year. I am sure some will be more competitive than others.

“But the message is the more people who take part – the more people that are able to give their time and support it – the better we can get this important message out there.”

Run and Walk for Your Heart returns to UTAS Stadium (Gate 10) on Sunday, October 2.

Gates open at 8.30am. The Kids 800m event will start at 9.30am, and the 5km will start at 10am.

Through this event, the Clifford Craig Foundation aims to create community awareness of the importance of a healthy heart.

Importantly, all funds raised will support heart research in Northern Tasmania.