Half marathon for children launches in Shropshire
A new half marathon event for schoolchildren is being launched in Shropshire.
The organisers of Shrewsbury Half Marathon, UK Run Events, have launched the Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon to encourage local schools to get involved in a weekend celebration of running on June 16 and 17.
The new half marathon is part of the Primary Schools Challenge and will enable children to complete their very own cumulative half marathon.
The first 12 miles of the challenge are completed at school one mile at a time, and the final 1.1 miles are run at The Shrewsbury Half Marathon at Shropshire County Showground on June 16 starting at 9am.
Here youngsters will get the full race experience including race bibs, a marshalled route, music and a start and finish line gantry.
They will also receive a half marathon medal and T-shirt, just like the adults completing the Shrewsbury Half Marathon the following day.
The Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon has come about after a successful trial in 2017 with two schools, Belvidere Primary and Harlescott Juniors. A total of 75 children took part in the trial and, following positive feedback the event has been made official for 2018.
Children are provided with achievement chart so they can look forward to logging each mile they complete, and each school has a tracker chart for the class room to log the miles.
Race director Joe Williams said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for local children to get active and enjoy the experience of taking part in a big running event, whilst earning their very own half marathon medal.
"Our aim is to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle from a young age and to instil a positive attitude towards exercise through fun, inclusive non timed events.
"Many young runners will have grown-ups taking part in the Shrewsbury Half Marathon the following day, making it a weekend of sporting celebration for the whole family. Entry to both events are now open and we look forward to welcoming runners of all ages over the course of the weekend.”
A total of 1,500 places are available and it is open to all children aged four to 11 years.
A total of 12 primary schools and 538 places are already confirmed with Oakmeadow, Meole Brace, The White House School, Bomere Heath, Harlescott Juniors, Belvidere, Whixall, St Andrew’s, Prees, Myddle, Kinnerley and Lawley Village Academy.
The cost to each school is £12 per child.
