Gym members running for research

Members of a Dunedin gym are set to run up a donation of about $1000 for diabetes research.

Creative Conditioning director Gary Dawkins, of Dunedin, said about 70 gym members had been gathering sponsorship from Dunedin businesses to participate in the Moro Marathon tomorrow.

The runners and walkers had spent the past six months preparing for the event as part of their personal training programmes, Mr Dawkins said.

All money raised would be donated to the University of Otago's Edgar National Centre for Diabetes Research.

Taking part in marathon or half-marathon events would have special significance for several gym members who had diabetes, Mr Dawkins said.

Diabetes centre director Prof Jim Mann, of Dunedin, said diabetes research often focused on the role of exercise in preventing obesity, and reducing insulin levels for suffers of type 2 diabetes.

"Funds are always welcome. We are hoping to increase research into type 1 diabetes and we need to enhance activities in this area because it is increasing at a rate as great, if not greater, than type 2 diabetes," he said.