Grand finale of the UK’s biggest fun run in Gateshead
The North East's Olympic boxing hero, Tony Jeffries today (Wednesday 16th June) cheered on over 1,500 youngsters from Tyne and Wear as they took part in the UK's biggest fun run.
Tony, whose inspirational fighting displays wowed crowds at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, started the Tesco Great School Run at Saltwell Park and saw children from 17 schools throughout the region complete the 2km course.
The pupils joined over a million children from more than 4,000 schools across the UK who have taken part in the event this week.
Now in its sixth year, the 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.
Tony said: "It's incredible to see so many children from Tyne and Wear keeping fit and getting really enthusiastic about running. The buzz and excitement among the kids as they were crossing the starting line today was electric and it was really inspiring to see the effort they all put in."
Mayor of Gateshead, Cllr Michael Hood, was also at the event to offer his support to the pupils. He said: "The children have been preparing for today for weeks, making sure they eat healthily and get enough exercise. It's clear that they enjoyed it - events like today's just go to show what great fun exercise can be.
Since the launch of this year's event on 10th May, athletes including British Olympic medallists Colin Jackson and Katharine Merry have visited schools around the country and encouraged children to prepare for this year's run by exercising regularly and eating well.
Colin said: "The Tesco Great School Run is always a fantastic event and I think this has been its best year yet. It's great that so many children from Tyne and Wear have taken part and I hope that each of them can now maintain the enthusiasm they've shown for athletics and good health over the last few weeks."
Josh Hardie, Head of Corporate Responsibility, 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 congratulate everyone who took part this year."
Posted on June 17, 2010 by CE