Global Children’s Running Campaign Kicks Off in Darlington

More than 750 primary schoolchildren, GO Run For Fun mascot Dart and GO Run For Fun ambassador, Olympic long jumper Chris Tomlinson came together in Darlington this week to kick off the first GO Run For Fun event of 2016.

Children from 16 local primary schools took part in the fun run at Eastbourne Sports Complex, Bourne Avenue, Darlington, on Thursday 11th February, with support from Healthy Darlington, an initiative of Darlington Borough Council, and sports leaders from St Aidan’s CE Academy.

Having encouraged more than 106,288 children to get running through more than 189 worldwide fun run events, the GO Run For Fun campaign is already the biggest children’s running initiative in the world. This year, GO Run For Fun is developing a series of exciting educational resources starring campaign mascot Dart, to help children learn the importance of an active life and healthy nutrition from their earliest years.

Alison Raw, School Games Organiser for the Darlington School Sport Partnership, hosted by the Darlington Move More team, said: “We are delighted to work with GO Run For Fun once again. We have been amazed by the response from around the world to the campaign and have a great memory of our previous run here, so we’re really looking forward to this event.”

Olympic Long jumper, Chris Tomlinson, who attended previous GO Run For Fun events in Stockton and Newton Aycliffe, added: “GO Run For Fun is an easy way to inspire children to get out of the house and have fun with their friends, whilst doing something healthy. It’s also a great way to kick start the imaginations of the next generation who may be thinking about becoming Olympians one day.”

GO Run For Fun will continue to tour the UK throughout 2016 with other events planned for Falkirk, Oldham and Widnes to name just a few. For more information and to enter your child for INEOS GO Run For Fun events happening near you, or to register your local club or school’s interest in joining the campaign, please visit: www.gorunforfun.com