GO Run For Fun gets youngsters enthusiastic about running

Inspiring children to be more active through well organised short distance fun running events, INEOS GO Run For Fun™ is a national campaign aimed at getting as many 5-10 year old children into running as possible.

All are encouraged to take part, regardless of their ability. GO Run For Fun™ comes in all shapes and sizes, from small local runs held at schools and running clubs, to large well-established events.

England Athletics supports the campaign and is proud of its alliance with GO Run For Fun™. CEO Chris Jones said: "We are delighted to endorse the delivery of this specific initiative that extends coverage of this great sport of athletics to the masses, particularly in their formative years."

Over the next three years, the campaign aims to get more than 100,000 children to participate in at least 250 well organised events taking place across the length and breadth of the UK. We hope kids catch the bug and want to carry on running long after their GO Run For Fun™ event has happened. The GO Run For Fun™ website will show you where you can find your nearest event.

The INEOS GO Run For Fun™ campaign is committed to a three year partnership with the Bupa Mini Great Run series. Currently the biggest children’s running programme in the UK with approximately 16,000 children taking part every year. The Mini runs are for 3-8 year olds with the option of running with a parent or adult around a 1.5k course. Brendan Foster, Chairman of Nova International who organise the Great Run series commented, "We are delighted to be hosting the GO Run For Fun™ campaign across our Bupa Great Run Mini events. I am personally delighted to be involved with GO Run For Fun™ because it’s all about young kids simply having fun outdoors and enjoying running - and that’s a fantastic thing in itself. Who knows, we may even inspire the next generation of World Champions and Olympians.”

A number of other running Greats have lent their support; Lord Coe said: "I am an advocate of encouraging young people’s participation in sport and growing sport at the grassroots and community levels. By teaming up with local clubs, schools and events, the GO Run For Fun™ campaign aims to do just this. Children from across the UK, of all abilities, will have the chance to be part of this exciting new fun run. In the first year alone, over 30,000 children will have taken part – which is something to be celebrated and we may help to inspire our next generation of sporting heroes. I feel passionately about motivating people to get involved in sport and I am proud of this campaign."

Colin Jackson added: "We really must make sure that the kids are given the opportunity to get active from an early age, and GO Run For Fun™ provides the chance to do just that. I am personally calling for parents to get their children involved now."

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