Grand finale of the UK’s biggest fun run
Over 300 youngsters from seven schools across Redcar and Cleveland took part in the UK's biggest fun run at Laurence Jackson School in Guisborough today (Tuesday 15th June).
Taking part in the Tesco Great School Run, the pupils joined over a million children from more than 4,000 schools across the UK who will participate in the 2km 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.
For the last three years, the run has been backed by Olympic medallist and former world record holder, Colin Jackson. 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.
Charlotte Page, Deputy Head from the Sports College Specialism at Laurence Jackson School was also at the event. She said: "It's incredible to see so many children from Redcar and Cleveland 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."
Since the launch of this year's event on 10th May, athletes including Colin and former Olympic 400m medallist 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 Redcar and Cleveland 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