LOCALS turned out in force on Sunday for the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in Stratford.
‘Milers’ of all ages were sponsored to walk or run themselves proud over one, three or six miles as the course wound its way around the Recreation Ground alongside the River Avon, with views of Holy Trinity Church and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The day was a massive success as friends and families joined together to go the extra mile for Sport Relief 2016 and the weather conditions were ideal.
However, the temperature may have been too warm for the gentleman disguised as the Big Bad Wolf!
The official starter was Stratford Athletic Club high jump and hurdles star Rory Dwyer, who is the national under 20 indoor high jump champion.
He provided some words of encouragement to the participants before sounding the klaxon to set them on their way, whilst Dwyer was also on hand to reward the runners with medals and much-needed water and also pose for photographs.
Before each event, local fitness instructor Emma Butterworth provided a fun and upbeat aerobic warm-up which ensured everyone was ready and raring to go for their runs.
Event organiser Danny Tolhurst said: “It was a fantastic day. Watching the community come together to support such a great cause was brilliant.
“We feel very proud knowing the money raised here will help people living unimaginably tough lives right here in Warwickshire, across the rest of the UK and in some of the world’s poorest countries.
“A big thank you must go to the efficient and friendly marshals and volunteers who helped to make the event such a success.”
