Mayor Leads Team Melville in City to Surf

The City is hoping to recruit 250 members to Team Melville, with Mayor Russell Aubrey leading the charge, pledging to run the half-marathon route – totalling 21 kilometres!

“It’s a big ask for an overweight 57-year-old Mayor! I have been training privately for a while now, taking it very seriously and trying to lead by example but, it’s not easy!” Mayor Aubrey said.

“While it’s a hard task, I know it is giving my health a boost – having already lost more than 10 kilograms in the process, and I keep motivated knowing I’m doing it for such a great, local cause – 21 kilometres, here I come!

“So, if I can do it – I’m sure anyone can do it! Whether you want to walk, jog or run, any distance, we’d love to have you on board to help us reach our target!”

Last year, Mayor Aubrey completed the 12 kilometre run in one hour 30 minutes, so has set his goal to finish the 2011 half-marathon in two hours 15 minutes.

Team Melville participants can choose a number of route options, including four, 12 and 21 kilometres – running, jogging or walking at your own pace.

After signing up under Team Melville, participants will receive a package including a fundraising team T-shirt, optional training program and a celebratory event after the race.

The City of Melville Lifestyle Services will offer a special training program to help participants prepare for the big day – whatever their level and goals.

“We’re catering for all levels of fitness – so if you’re just intending to walk or take the plunge and run one of the longer distances, we’re here to help you reach your goal,” Manager Health and Lifestyle Service Todd Cahoon said.

Now in its 37th year, the Chevron City to Surf for Activ is one of Australia’s largest community events, which this year will be held on Sunday, 28 August.

Melville Cares provides quality support services to the frail aged, younger people with disabilities and their carers within the City of Melville – helping these people to be more independent at home and in the community, enhance their quality of life and prevent admission into long term care.

For more information, or to sign up, visit www.melvillecity.com.au/citytosurf or call 1300 635 845.

Mayor’s Training Diary

Ten kilograms down, with ten to go, Mayor Aubrey is dedicated and motivated to see his pledge through, sticking to a strict regime to get into shape.

Over the past five months, Mayor Aubrey has dropped from 96 to 86 kilograms, which he attributes to a committed cardio routine, running ten kilometres in under an hour, at least three times a week.

Training outside his normal working hours from 8.00am to 9.00pm, Mayor Aubrey’s exercise diary sees him running around the Narrows and Causeway Bridges when weather permits, or jumping on the exercise bike at home for 90 minutes of pumping the pedals to the max.

Mayor Aubrey said with only a few months to go before the City to Surf tortuous, hilly half marathon, he was taking his exercise and diet seriously.
 
“I now find that I have hit a bit of a barrier and can’t lose any more weight without reducing my calorie intake. So, fatty foods and dairy products are out and fruit and vegetables are the order of the day,” he said.

“As we get older our health and fitness tends to conflict with our lifestyles. For me, at 57-years-old with family commitments, a busy teaching role at Wesley College as well as attending more than 250 functions a year as Mayor of the City, the barriers to a healthy lifestyle are considerable.

“I see so many people in our community with similar problems and I feel, if I am to fulfil my role of Mayor with integrity rather than just preach about good health, I need to be the ‘change I’m looking for’.

“My motto is ‘Putting Unity in our Community’ so by encouraging people to strive for personal fitness and join Team Melville through my personal example, we can bring people together and help to build a more united, resilient and stronger community.”