Get running with street athletics

     



Folkestone is taking its place alongside major cities across the country to host a heat of the national Street Athletics challenge, headed by Olympic athletes Linford Christie and Darren Campbell.

Young people aged between seven and 19 are being invited to take part and being challenged by organisers: ‘if you think you can run - prove it.'

Under the guidance of the athletes, they will compete in 60-metre sprints with the top boy and girl in each age group going forward to the national finals in Manchester in September.

Shepway Council's sports development officer, Wilbert Greaves, himself a former Olympic hurdler, managed to persuade the organisers, Nuff Respect, to bring Street Athletics to Shepway - the only venue in Kent to host the event

"The others heats are taking place in Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bristol and in several areas in London. The idea is to give young people the chance to show what they can do. It's mainly aimed at inner city areas but I managed to convince the people at Nuff Respect, which is behind the street athletics challenge, that inner cities are not the only ones facing deprivation. We have areas of deprivation here too."

Cllr Carole Waters, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Tourism said it was wonderful that the Nuff-Respect team had been able to include Shepway in its Street Athletics programme.

"This a very exciting national incentive that will give young people of the district the opportunity to express their sporting talent and to test their skills. It's all about giving young people the chance to get out and enjoy themselves."

The Street Athletics Challenge is being held at the Lidl supermarket car park at Haven Drive, Hawkinge on Friday 20 July. Registration is open from 3.30pm and 5.00pm with races starting at 4.30pm. Local schools and youth groups are being invited but any young person can just turn up on the day and register.

As well as providing the venue free, the supermarket if giving everyone who takes part a free goodie-bag. The youngsters will also get a Street Athletics t-shirt. The Hawkinge Partnership is hosting a pavement artists competition, there will also be music from the Pie Factory and the chance to take part in a penalty shoot-out competition. Kent County Council's Arts Bus will also be attending.