London Marathon Launches Virtual Event for Kids
September 25, 2020
The Virgin Money London Marathon has launched a new virtual event to inspirie children to get active. Primary schools across the UK have been invited to become part of the self-described "world’s greatest marathon" in the first virtual Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon.
The London Marathon traditionally features more than 1,600 young runners aged 11-17, representing the London boroughs and regions across the UK, racing over the last three miles of the course.
This year, children of all abilities are asked to run 2.6 miles between Monday 28th September and Friday 9th October. The distance can be completed by running, walking and jogging, while disabled children can complete the event in a way that meets their needs - through walking, pushing, being pushed, walking with crutches or any other way. Older children may be able to complete the whole distance in one session.
“The statistics on the increase in obesity levels in children during primary school years are truly shocking and lockdown has meant that a significant number of children have returned to school after many months of little or no physical activity,” says Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Virgin Money London Marathon. “Activity levels plummeted from 47% of school children active for the recommended 60 minutes a day to only 19%.
“We are working to inspire 45,000 children to take part in this new virtual Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon. Being physically active improves health and fitness and supports good mental health and wellbeing," he continued.
The 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon takes place on Sunday 4th October with elite races around a closed loop in St James’s Park. In parallel, race organisers have also launched a global virtual event which will see 45,000 people in the UK and around the world running the 26.2 mile distance on the course of their choice throughout the day.
For the past two years, Virgin Money London Marathon has been working in partnership with the Mayor of London to introduce The Daily Mile into London’s primary schools. Now, more than 800 schools across the city have signed up to this initiative which encourages children to run or jog for 15 minutes each day from classroom door to classroom door with no need to change or use any equipment.
All participating schools will also receive a free registration with Virgin Money Giving’s not-for-profit fundraising platform to get parents and local communities involved.
Jo Barnett, Executive Director at Virgin Money Giving, said: “It’s fantastic that children across the UK are being invited to take part in the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon this year. It’s vital that we can do all we can to encourage young people to be active, especially when lockdown has affected everyone’s ability to get out and exercise. We hope schools will consider taking part in this unique event that will not only help keep our young people fit and healthy but will also be great fun.”
This story first appeared on Sport Industry Group.