Friday 12 June 2009

RUNNING FOR THANET IN STREET ATHLETICS

Thanet's fastest young runners have been picked to progress to the next rounds of a national sports scheme.

The Thanet heats of the Street Athletics challenge, which is fronted by former Olympic gold medalists Darren Campbell and Linford Christie, have been held at Hartsdown Leisure Centre in Margate. The scheme aims to organise fun competitive sprint races right in the heart of the community.

Youngsters from across Thanet competed against each other, looking for the quickest times to send them through to the East Kent finals, which will take place in Hawkinge on Sunday 5 July.

Notable successes were Hadley Pressley, who won the under 20s category for the second year running, and Amber Currie, who beat all comers in the under 13s category. The East Kent finals will then send the winners of the specific age groups to battle it out in the national finals, which take place in Manchester later this year.

As well as the sprint races, there were athletics taster sessions from Athletics Development Officer James Bridge, Dance mats by Thanet Leisureforce and music provided from Pie Factory Music. Parents were unable to avoid the action, with a few adult races to show the young people how it was done.. or not the case proved!

Sports Assistant Colin Rouse said: "It was great to see local youngsters take part in this fun event, which is taking place all over the UK. The passion and desire in each performer, aiming to beat their previous time, was great to see and encouraging for the development of athletics within the district. Thanet has some potentially gifted athletes who may not have had the opportunity to perform or develop their skills. Street athletics is another way for young people to step forward and compete, whatever skills they have."

If you are interested in athletics or would like more information about how to get involved in a specific sport please contact the Sport Matters Team on 01843 577367 or visit www.thanet.gov.uk/sport

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