Run! Inspires a Generation

With many struggling to secure tickets to the London 2012 Olympic Games and gain access to the Olympic Park and surrounding venues, Live Nation and BT joint forces to provide daily opportunities for residents and visitors to say ‘I was part of it’ by operating two Live Sites in Hyde Park and Victoria Park. The purpose built venues housed a stage for music and cultural productions assisted by One Movement and a sports zone offering physical activity delivered by a number of National Governing Bodies against the backdrop of live action from Stratford and Weymouth.

Back in April Run! Project Manager Rhian Horlock and Athletics Activator Nicole Evans met with Andrew Haworth the Live Nation project Manager and began the planning process for what was to become a huge programme of activity produced by the Run! project and England Athletics. This was our chance to showcase the sport of Athletics as the strong foundation to providing life skills and achievement whist continuing to build a sustainable legacy for physical activity not just in London but across the United Kingdom.

The programme of activity began at 11.30am and continued nonstop until 8pm thanks to the brilliant efforts of Coaches and Volunteers. Visitors to the site were invited to engage in FREE tasters, coaching clinics and a team competition in the format of Sportshall Athletics. Run! assists in the promotion and delivery of many England Athletics initiatives such as Run England, Athlefit and works with UKA and schools to ensure that all young people have equal access to sportshall athletic competitions on a regular basis – these were offered as tasters throughout the morning alongside England Athletics Flying Coaches provided by the Club Coach Community Support Officer there to present specific sessions in high jump, shot putt, javelin and sprinting.

Nicole Evans said “it’s been such an exciting time for all of us at Run! ensuring we open up the sport to anybody who wishes to engage and to do this with the backdrop of live Olympic action was just fantastic and it really inspired a generation”

Throughout the day over 300 participants took part in what was on offer with many able to build on the foundation skills needed throughout life for a considerable length of time running, jumping and throwing on the arena surface supplied by Popup Arena. It is however important that credit is given to the volunteers and coaches who delivered on the day, many of whom did not know each other prior to this event and in some cases had never volunteered let alone worked within this particular sporting environment. Tracy Quartey – Flying Coach added “We all pulled together as a cohesive team and it was a pleasure to be part of an event working towards ensuring athletics is accessible to all!” Accessible to all it sure was with the youngest person involved aged 2 and the eldest 77!

The Run! project would like to extend their thanks to all at Live Nation, The London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Street Games and the Mayor of London for their continued support in raising the profile of sport and ensuring a sustainable legacy!