Ashley Bloomfield: Former Director General of Health on tomorrow's Round the Bays Wellington and the joys of running

Tomorrow marks the 46th year of Round the Bays Wellington, an iconic community event bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate physical activity. 

Over 10,000 people are expected to take part in one of three distances, Sir Ashley Bloomfield among them. 

He’s taking part as a Pause Breathe Smile ambassador, which is a free mental health program for primary and intermediate schools. 

Bloomfield is doing the 5.5km event, telling Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame that he’s been taking it easy with his training this week, to ensure that he’ll be able to finish the run. 

He said he’s been running in some capacity for his entire life, having run a few marathons and as well as having a group of friends he goes on Saturday morning runs with whenever possible. 

“That fellowship kind of aspect of it, spending time with friends and in terms of both physical and mental wellbeing, to me you couldn’t tick many more boxes than that.” 

One of the reason’s Bloomfield enjoys running is its accessibility. 

“All you really need is a pair of shoes.”  

Regular exercise is also known to be a benefit for those in high stakes environments and high stress jobs, both of which Bloomfield was facing in the last few years. 

“Being able to kind of decompress, as well as get out and keep active and fit was a lifesaver for me.” 

“Literally a lifesaver.” 

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