Nell's News

FEBRUARY 2011

UK’s biggest fun run announced in Greenwich

I joined forces with Olympic medalist and three-time world record holder Colin Jackson to announce the UK's biggest fun run.

Now in its seventh year, the Tesco Great School Run, organised by those behind the iconic Great North Run and supported by Tesco, encourages children and their parents to get fit and healthy through exercise and healthy eating.

Since registration began last month, 604,146 youngsters from more than 2,000 schools across the UK have signed up to take part in the two-kilometre (1.2miles) run. Participating schools must arrange for their own individual fun runs to take place anytime between May 9 and July 22.

"This year, we're expecting more than one million children to take part and I wouldn't want any regions to miss out, so I'm calling on teachers to sign up their schools straight away. Any parents and children who want to participate, talk to your teacher and ask them to check out the website at  www.greatschoolrun.org."

Colin Jackson CBE, who is supporting the Tesco Great School Run for the fourth consecutive year said: "The Tesco Great School Run has something for everyone.

"It's not about setting personal bests or world records - it's about people of all abilities and ages keeping fit and healthy and above all, having fun. In fact, we call it a run but people are welcome to jog it, walk it or wheel it. We don't mind how you do it, just as long as you do it.

"Importantly, it's not just children we want to pull on their trainers, we really want parents to get involved and take part in the run alongside their kids."

To build excitement ahead of the Tesco Great School Run, the team will be conducting a national warm up tour of selected schools between May 9 and June 17. On a handful of these visits they will be joined by a guest celebrity athlete.

During June, Colin and I will take to the sky on a helicopter tour, touching down at schools around the UK and meeting with youngsters that are taking part in the Tesco Great School Run.

Colin added: "It really is simple to get involved in the Tesco Great School Run and I would urge any school that hasn't already done so to register online today." 

Registration is open to schools only and teachers are encouraged to sign up online at www.greatschoolrun.org  Schools that register will receive a teachers' pack through the post containing race numbers, a poster and a teachers' guide. Schools that complete the Tesco Great School Run will be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win sports equipment and kit or VIP Great North Run and Junior Great Run experiences.