Children in Bury are getting ready and set to go
Olympic athlete Colin Jackson was in Bury St Edmunds today (Monday, May 10) to see how children at Howard Middle School and Tollgate Lane are preparing for this year's Tesco Great School Run.
The schools are taking part in the UK's biggest fun run, which will involve more than one million children at more than 1,000 schools across the UK between June 14 and 18.
Now in its sixth year, the Tesco Great School Run - organised by those behind the world famous Great North Run - aims to encourage children between the ages of five and 11 to get fit and healthy through exercise and nutrition advice.
A supporter of the run for the past three years, former Olympian Colin Jackson said: "It's fantastic that the children of Bury are participating in this event. Schools have a vitally important role to play in ensuring our children remain fit and healthy and the teachers at both Howard Middle School and Tollgate Primary clearly take this seriously."
Both schools have organised a two-kilometre (1.2miles) run which will take place between June 14 and 18. In preparation for the big day, children are taking part in a special training programme designed to promote the values of goal setting and healthy eating.
"The children that I've met today are really excited about taking part in the run and it's remarkable what they know about the importance of keeping healthy through regular exercise and good nutrition," Colin added.
Cllr Rosemary Clarke, Suffolk County Council's Portfolio Holder for Sport, Culture, Diversity, Health and Wellbeing said: "Suffolk County Council is delighted to be supporting the Tesco Great School Run and really pleased they have chosen to launch the 2010 Activation Tour in Suffolk. Such events contribute directly to our ambition to make Suffolk the healthiest county by 2028, as they provide a wonderful opportunity to inspire young people to take up more physical activity and lead healthier lifestyles. We will be encouraging as many schools as possible to sign up and get involved".
Josh Hardie, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Tesco, said: "Tesco gets over two and a half million people active each year, and the Tesco Great School Run is a key part of this - it's a great way to switch young people on to exercise fun and to help make physical activity part of each school's and every family's lifestyle. We're extremely proud of its success and wish everyone taking part this year very good luck."
Posted on May 19, 2010 by te