LONDON, 2014-7-4 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sainsbury’s and British Athletics are bringing some of the world’s top athletes to Horse Guards Parade for the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games on Sunday 20 July and today confirmed that a select number of races will take place on The Mall for the public to watch for free. Christine Bleakley today revealed more details about the free to watch races.
Leading athletes including six-time Paralympic Champion David Weir will mix with 50 lucky children selected from Active Kids schools and clubs across the country. While Weir will be returning to the scene of his greatest triumph at London 2012, the children will be balancing eggs and spoons, completing a unique ‘fun run’ along the iconic stretch.
The children will take on a number of sports day style activities, including egg and spoon race; target throws; hula hoop; ball skills and a space hopper race. The children have been chosen because their organisations are top collectors in Sainsbury’s famous Active Kids vouchers for equipment scheme. As part of the day, the kids and their families will also get tickets to watch their Olympic and Paralympic heroes compete in the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games in Horse Guards Parade.
Christine Bleakley, Sainsbury’s Active Kids ambassador, said: “The Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games races on The Mall will be a brilliant day out for all of the family. With so much activity that’s open to the public I encourage everyone to come down and enjoy a truly memorable day, watching some world class athletes against the backdrop of one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
“There’s never been anything like this in central London, the idea of 50 children racing down The Mall with eggs and spoons will really be quite something! Good luck to everyone taking part!”
Tara Hewitt, Sainsbury’s Head of Sponsorship adds: “We’re excited that we’ve been able to make a number of races available to the public for free, so if you’ve not been able to get a ticket for the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, you can still watch some world class athletes on The Mall.
“It’s great that we’ve also been able to give some of our most loyal Active Kids organisations the chance to race in front of Buckingham Palace while being cheered on by top athletes and a roaring crowd.”
Sainsbury’s is proud to be a long-term partner of British athletics through its involvement in the Sainsbury’s Summer Series of athletics events, which include the Sainsbury’s British Championships in Birmingham (27–29 June), Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix (11–12 July), Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at Horse Guards Parade and The Mall (20 July) and the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix (24 August), as well as the IPC European Championships in Swansea.
Since 2005, Sainsbury’s customers have donated over £136 million worth of equipment and experiences to organisations across the UK through Active Kids.
Notes to editors
- The races on The Mall are open to the general public on Sunday 20 July and free to attend
- The Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games in Horse Guards Parade is a ticketed event
- Sainsbury’s is proud to support British Athletics through the Summer Series events and committed to helping young people lead healthier, more active lifestyles. More information Sainsbury’s Paralympic Games legacy
- Tickets for Horse Guards Parade are available on the British Athletics website
- Sainsbury’s Active Kids was launched in February 2005, in response to growing concerns around children’s activity and obesity levels and £135 million worth of equipment and experiences has been donated since
- Sainsbury’s has pledged to have encouraged over 20 million children to enjoy physical activity by 2020
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