City News

In conjunction with the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon, Birmingham City Council is staging a one mile Family Fun Run and a one mile Junior Race to encourage even more local people to be active. Both events are free and will be staged on the same day as the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon – Sunday 26 October.

The events will be held on Broad Street so the competitors will complete the last stretch of the official EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon and will cross the finishing line just a couple of hours before the thousands of runners taking part in the main event. The Junior Race, which is for young people aged 11 to 16 will start at 8.45am. The Family Fun Run is for people of all ages and this starts at 9am.

You need to enter in advance for both races and forms are being distributed to schools and leisure centres.  Both races will take place on traffic free roads and all participants will get a medal when they complete the event.

Schools are also being challenged to make group entries into the Junior Race and Family Fun Run. Schools entering 25 or more children and parents will receive a pack of Physical Activity Resources including board games and card games. The school with most entries will also get the chance to visit Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa for a tour.

Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture, Councillor Ray Hassall said: “We are delighted that so many adults have signed up to take part in the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon, however we wanted to ensure that people of all ages could be part of this major city event so I would like to encourage young people to sign up now for the Junior Race and families from across the city to get involved with the Family Fun Run.

“I would also like to thank the Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust for their generous support of these events and together we hope to encourage more people in Birmingham to be active.”

Kevin Haywood, Head of Public Health Programmes for Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust said: “At Heart of Birmingham teaching PCT we are committed to motivating our community to adopt healthier lifestyles. We hope that Birmingham families and schools take this wonderful opportunity to be part of the first EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon and participate in the free to enter one mile Family Fun Run.

“Mums, dads, grandparents, and children can all run, jog or walk together for a mile, be cheered on their way, cross the same finishing line as the elite runners and receive a medal to celebrate their achievement. We encourage all Birmingham families to get together and be part of the most prestigious health event in Birmingham in 2008.”

A third sports event is also being staged in conjunction with the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon as Birmingham City Council’s fifth annual Sportsfest will be staged in Centenary Square on Saturday 25 October from  10am until 4pm. This is yet another free event and gives young people the chance to try out a variety of sports ranging from athletics, football, rugby, golf and boxing.

Each sport will have its own zone where qualified coaches will run fun activities and provide expert advice. The event is mainly aimed at young people aged 7 to 14 however there will be information and advice available for people of all ages on how to get fit and be healthy and information on fitness classes and schemes available in all of Birmingham City Council’s leisure facilities will also be provided.

Application forms for the Junior Race and Family Fun Run are available now from Birmingham City Council leisure facilities and are also being distributed to schools across the city. Entries will also be accepted on the day but it is advisable to enter in advance to guarantee your place.

The deadline for both races is Thursday 16 October. It is not necessary to enter SportsFest in advance just turn up on Saturday 25 October and make your way to the registration desk.

The EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon is organised by Birmingham City Council, sponsored by EDF Energy and supported by 100.7 heart fm, the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa FC, Birmingham City FC and the Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust.