Hundreds of Mums, daughters and granddaughters are starting Mothers' Day in Tauranga on the right foot by taking part in a nationwide charity fun run or walk event supporting women's heart health.

More than 750 women are striding out in the 5km 2017 Jennian Homes Mothers' Day Fun Run/Walk this morning at Kulim Park – one of 23 locations throughout New Zealand.

Now in its sixth year, the nationwide event is part of an initiative run by Jennian Homes to support the Heart Foundation's ‘Heart Foundation for Women' campaign, which aims to improve the heart health of New Zealand women.

And this year's figure, including record event numbers in Tauranga (750), Paihia (1070), Christchurch (950) and Wellington (930) eclipses the previous mark of 7000 set in 2016.

'The annual event is an incredibly fun way to celebrate Mothers' Day and it is wonderful seeing many women, of all generations, getting out and active in a unique way,” says Jennian Homes chief operating officer Aidan Jury.

More than 9500 women are taking part nationwide in what organisers are calling a record-breaking effort.

Statistics show heart disease is the number-one cause of death for women in NZ, claiming the lives of more than 50 women each week.

From Paihia to Invercargill, women are walking and running 5km courses in a sea of red T-shirts designed by Kiwi artist Dick Frizzell today.

'It is all about raising awareness and women coming together to do something healthy,” says Aidan.

'It is important to remember that heart disease could happen to anyone at any age. So, it is never too early to start raising awareness about heart health in the younger generations also.”

Each event location has up to three Olympic athletes, past or present, championing the cause by helping coordinate warm ups, while some are also taking part in the 5km course.

In total, 42 Olympians are active nationwide alongside the event's three Olympic ambassadors – Kayla Whitelock, Nikki Hamblin and Natalie Rooney.

Tauranga has Rio 2016 Silver medallist rugby sevens player Ruby Tui and Rio 2016 rower Isaac Grainger helping women get active and enjoy the event.

Other athletes nationwide include: 2016 silver medal sailing pair Alex Maloney and Molly Meech taking part in Paihia; double medal-winning rower Rebecca Scown in Hamilton; rowing silver medallist Genevieve Behrent in Whitianga; bronze medal-winning rower Nathan Twaddle in Whakatane and double-bronze medal-winning rower Peter Taylor in Wellington.

The attendance of all the Olympians is thanks to Jennian Homes, who partnered with the New Zealand Olympic Committee ahead of last year's games in Rio de Janiero to help Kiwi athletes achieve their goals on the world stage.

'It is fantastic to have these Olympians on hand to help women of all abilities take part in this event,” says Aidan.

'Their perseverance and dedication to their chosen sport is just one of many forms of inspiration that we think can help women pause and think about heart health.”

Jennian Homes is proud to champion the need for better heart awareness in NZ by giving $20,000 to the Heart Foundation to support women's heart health in support of today's Mothers' Day events.