Entries are now open for children and young people to take part in 100 Club Junior at the ABP Newport Marathon Festival on Sunday 19 April.
The initiative is being launched at the event for the first time this year and aims to help improve the health and wellbeing of those taking part.
Run 4 Wales are donating 100 free spaces into the Family Fun run and applications are now open for schools, community groups and individuals to apply to take part. The organisation particularly wants to hear from people who may usually face barriers to participation, to help enable them to be part of the action on race day.
The one-mile Family Fun Run is part of the ABP Newport Marathon Festival which also features a marathon, half marathon and 10K distance. A Toddler Dash and competitive Future Challengers race for budding young athletes also make up the weekend, and together with the fun run are part of R4W Next Gen, a reimagined series of family events that aim to inspire a future generation of healthy, active adults.
Matt Newman, Chief Executive at Run 4 Wales, said: “It’s been 10 years since we launched our first ever 100 Club in the Cardiff Half Marathon in 2015. The past two years saw us bring the initiative to the ABP Newport Marathon Festival and now we’re introducing it for the juniors for the first time.
“Running is a low-cost, fun and social way to improve your fitness. You don’t need any specialist equipment and the physical and mental health benefits can be extremely empowering. Mass participation events provide a goal, target or inspiration to push yourself further, and have the power to bring people of all ages, abilities and background together.
“We know that many children and young people face barriers into sport and we want to help combat this, helping them to build their self-esteem and realise their capabilities. It’s also a fantastic way for those who have been taking part in the Daily Mile at school to take their activity to the next level.”
Those recruited to join the 100 Club Junior must be aged between 5-11 and under 8s need to be accompanied by an adult. They also need to be able to participate in the race which takes place at 12:45pm on Sunday 19 April. As well as a finishers medal for completing the race they will also be given a limited edition NMF 100 Club Junior cap.
Those who are interested need to fill out an application form: https://forms.monday.com/forms/51b37283e0aa3c8ff1c7a10786241744?r=use1 Entries close at the end of February.
