Leamington charity sets marathon challenge for kids

More than 3,000 primary schoolchildren in Warwickshire and Leicestershire will be running a marathon in a challenge set by Leamington charity Kids Run Free.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Sep 2015, 09:00 BST
Children taking part in the first Kids Run Free event at St Nicholas Park in Warwick earlier this year.Children taking part in the first Kids Run Free event at St Nicholas Park in Warwick earlier this year.
Children taking part in the first Kids Run Free event at St Nicholas Park in Warwick earlier this year.

The organisation, which hosts free running events for children across the Midlands, has been awarded £8,000 by Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® stores to run a year-long project involving pupils from ten schools in the region.

The Young Hearts Run Free project, launched following Heart Research UK figures that showed that 19.1 per cent of children in year 6 are obese and 14.4 per cent are overweight, will see the participating pupils run the distance of a marathon across two school terms by running laps during their lunch break.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Martine Verweij, chief executive of Kids Run Free, said: “We are so grateful for Heart Research UK’s and SUBWAY® support, as it will help to get the children healthier, happier and more confident and learn how to take care of their hearts.

Most Popular

“The aim is to get children confident in achieving their goal in bite-sized pieces, whilst being conscious of the positive impact it has on their health.”

All children taking part will learn how to take their own pulse and breathing rate, which they will hopefully see improve. They will receive a certificate at the end of the project and medals will be awarded to those who complete their marathon.

Schools wishing to take part should contact Sam Young on 07711 372795 or email [email protected]

Related topics:LeamingtonWarwickshireLeicestershireSubwaySchools