Run! City (Bristol) launched as Queen’s Baton relay sees thousands given a taste of athletics

The Queen’s Baton Relay comes to Bristol on Tuesday 3 June and people are being invited to give athletics a go. The event will also see the launch of Run! City (Bristol) which will continue to encourage people to becoming involved in the sport.

A range of sports will be on offer at Millennium Square and Lloyd’s Amphitheatre and a Pop Up Arena is going to be used to give people an opportunity to try a range of athletics events. With more than 2,000 school children already signed up to attend during the afternoon before the general public are then invited to ‘give it a go’ the day looks set to be a great chance for people to try athletics as well as having the opportunity to see the Queen’s Baton as it makes its way to Glasgow for the start of the Commonwealth Games.

Anna West, Run! City (Bristol) Activator for England Athletics said, “West of England Sport Trust (Wesport) and Bristol City Council have worked to host a range of sports with the excitement building up as we get closer to the Commonwealth Games.

“Having the Queen’s Baton Rely coming to Bristol gives us a great opportunity to encourage more people to try all forms of athletics and we will be using the Pop Up Arena to hold a range of races and relays on the 4 lane 40 metre track as well as other activities.

“It will be fantastic to welcome so many youngsters from local sports but the opportunity to have the general public come in, including for a Workplace Challenge, shows how elite sport can be used to encourage a whole range of people to give it a go.

“As the event also sees the launch of Run! City (Bristol) we will also be making information available to people about recreational running opportunities currently available and those coming up in the future. Once people have taste of the sport it is important we help them to enjoy taking their next steps.”

Steve Nelson, Wesport CEO described the day’s activities as: “A fantastic opportunity for the people of Bristol to feel a part of the build up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. I am so glad that the people of Bristol will be able to try athletics at the Bristol Queen’s Baton Relay Sports Park and I would like to thank England Athletics for taking part in this great opportunity.”

The Sports Park at Bristol’s Millennium Square and Lloyd’s Amphitheatre (BS1 5DB) will be open from 13:30 – 19:00 to a wide variety of groups. The specific times are:

• 13:30 – 15:00 – Open to local primary and secondary schools. So far nearly 2,000 school pupils have registered.
• 15:00 – 19:00 – Open to the general public. During this time there will also be a Workplace Challenge taking place.
   

More about the Queen’s Baton Relay

The Queen's Baton Relay is a much loved tradition of the Commonwealth Games and symbolises the coming together of all Commonwealth nations and territories in preparation for the four-yearly festival of sport and culture. The Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay is the curtain-raiser to the XX Commonwealth Games. Over a period of 288 days the baton will visit 70 nations and territories, cover 190,000 kilometres and involve a third of the world's population, making it the world's most engaging relay.

Wesport and Bristol City Council are working together to bring this once in a lifetime opportunity to Bristol. The central part of Bristol’s Queen’s Baton Relay celebrations is a come and try Sports Park based in Millennium Square. The park will offer members of the public the chance to take part in 20 different sporting activities and challenges. The sporting activities include Athletics, Gymnastics, Hockey, Handball, Rugby, Sailing and many more. There will also be an opportunity for members of the public to see and have their picture taken with the Queen’s Commonwealth Games Baton whilst the Sports Park is open.

The aim of the Sports Park is to be a celebration of the sport in Bristol and to get ready for the Commonwealth Games. We want everyone that attends to have a fantastic time and find out about what is available locally.

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To find out more information about Bristol’s Queen’s Baton Relay celebrations please visit www.wesport.org.uk/queensbatonrelay.

To find out more about the Queen’s Baton relay please visit www.glasgow2014.com/queens-baton-relay.