Local children are being encouraged to take part in the SSE Airtricity Kids Mini Marathon taking place alongside the Walled City Marathon on 1 June next.
Derry City Council and the marathon organisers have teamed up to offer local youngsters aged between nine and 17 years the chance to run the final stages of the marathon course ending up under the finishing chute at Guildhall Square.
In advance of the main even,t Derry City Council are holding pre race events across the city whereby any child that takes part will have their name put forward for a place on marathon day.
City Mayor Cllr Martin Reilly said this would allow them to experience the buzz and excitement of race days in the city before the mini marathon whilst making preparations to get fit for the big event.
Welcoming the programme, the Mayor said said he supported any project that encouraged physical exercise, good relations and a healthy lifestyle.
He added: “As Derry City Council and partners continue to deliver the Legacy programme, the Walled City Marathon is a great example of a project we can build on from 2013 year on year. 2014 is set to be another sensational year for the citizens of this city and I look forward in particular to attending on the day and watching people of all ages including the children completing the ‘Walled City Mini Marathon’.
The event is being supported by Derry City Council Sports Development and their Community Health Manager, Thomas McCallion, said: “Everyone involved in last year’s event remembers the scenes when 300 local kids ran through Waterloo Place, making a bee line to Guildhall Square and the finishing line.
“It was a brilliant experience for all the children that took part and for their families. This year we hope to increase these numbers and make it a day to remember.”
In order to get everyone ready for the Mini Marathon, Derry City Council and the organisers of the Walled City Marathon have put together four different 1km “Kids Runs” that will take place in the coming months.
Children who take part in any of these races will be automatically put forward for a place on marathon race day.
These races will commence on March 15 next with a 1km run as part of the Gransha 5k.
Registrations begins 9.15am on the day at the U3a building in Gransha Grounds.
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