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Sun shines on Springhill Sport Relief Mile
Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 17/07/2006
With millions of people nationwide running a mile in aid of Sport Relief on Saturday 15 July, the people of Rochdale were quick off the mark in joining in the fun at Springhill Sports Centre. Nearly 500 runners took part in the one mile run in aid of the Comic Relief initiative.
Runners young and old did their bit for charity with the youngest participant just 16 days old. It was not just human runners helping the Sport Relief campaign as one of the photos below shows, man’s best friend was out enjoying a run in the sun!
Meanwhile some rather strange creatures riding flamingoes also took part and, typical of fun-runs, there was more than a fair share of 118 runners - imitating the infamous moustached duo from the television adverts.
Rochdale Mayor, Councillor Jean Hornby, got the race under way with the help of local school children who formed a Samba Band to see the runners off, very appropriate given the hot conditions.
After sweating it out over a mile, participants enjoyed an afternoon of fun for all the family with a range of entertainment. Games, face painting and giant inflatables kept the children busy whilst the Rochdale Music Service Junior Band provided musical enjoyment.
Youngsters were given a further sporting test in the afternoon as they took part in a gruelling Mini Olympics, which was won by 'Belfield Boys'.
Support for the event came from the Prince’s Trust in Rochdale whose volunteers helped to steward the day and from the Wardle Spring Water Company who provided water for the runners free of charge. Organisers also joined forces with Springhill Hospice to help raise money with stalls and tombolas, a tug of war competition and a balloon race.
Centre manager, James Foley, said of the day: "This was the first big event to be held at the Athletics Arena and it was a great day.
"We anticipate helping to raise thousands of pounds in sponsorship for Sport Relief and hope also to raise awareness in the commuity of the excellent facilities for athletics and running now available in Rochdale."
Thanking all the volunteers and partners who helped to make the day such a success, he went on: "We formed two new very successful partnerships for this event with the Princes Trust and Springhill Hospice and we hope to build on this by working with them again in the future."
Click to view more photos from the Springhill Sport Relief Mile.
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