Halesowen Olympic and Paralympic stars sign up for fun run (From Halesowen News)
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Halesowen Olympic and Paralympic stars sign up for fun run
11:18am Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in News
THREE of Halesowen ’s Olympic and Paralympic stars will be presenting medals at the town’s first ever fun run next month.
Gymnast Kristian Thomas, Cyclist Jess Varnish and Paralympic cyclist Helen Scott have given a massive boost to the Halesowen and Rowley Regis Rotary Club Fun Run on Sunday, September 16.
And the Rotary Club are hoping to complete the set and recruit Paraylmpic tennis star Jordanne Whiley to the cause as well.
They will be on hand to give encouragement to the runners on the five kilometre course around the town centre and hand out medals at the end.
Rotarian Alan Bowler said: “We are absolutely delighted to have these fantastic athletes taking part in the fun run and it will be wonderful for the runners to be presented their medals by Kristian, Jess and Helen.
“We are all hoping that Helen and Jordanne bring back golds to Halesowen because it would be wonderful if our runners could pass a golden postbox on the route.”
Olympic bronze medalist Kristian Thomas said: “I’m really looking forward to the Halesowen Fun Run as it will be great to see so many local people taking part in sport in the town.
“London 2012 was all about the legacy and this fun run is exactly the kind of thing that will get youngsters fit and healthy.”
The Rotary Club of Halesowen and Rowley Regis is urging people to register for the five kilometre fun run as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
The fun run around Halesowen ring road will begin at 9.30am on Sunday, September 16 with local good causes including Midlands Air Ambulance, Macmillan Cancer Support and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Alan Bowler, who is organising the fun run, said: “The Olympics have ended and thoughts have turned to the legacy of such a huge sporting event on local people.
“I think there are a lot of people who want to get involved in sports and the fun run is the perfect opportunity to keep fit and raise money for charities.”
He added: “We want families to get involved and sign up for the fun run as it will be wonderful to see different generations running side by side in the fun run.”
Runners can register at two websites www.halesowenrotaryfunrun.org and www.h5k.org.uk and also download a sponsorship form.
