University gears up for Sport Relief

Hundreds of people will follow in the footsteps of Olympians, FC Barcelona footballers and British Lions rugby players this weekend (Sunday, March 16th) when the University of St Andrews hosts the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile.

Participants can choose to take part in one, three or six miles at the University’s playing fields, St Leonard’s Road, at one of four wave start times: 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

John Scott, Assistant Director of the University’s Sports Centre, encouraged people to sign up before the day at www.sportrelief.com to guarantee a place.

He said, “Sports relief 2008 is all about challenging yourself, friends, family and colleagues to do something sporty and raise cash.  Individual milers can choose to do one, three or six miles, or individuals can make a relay tem over the three or six miles and exchange a baton, ball, hockey stick or whatever.

“Get together and select the distance that is a challenge for you and make sure to get sponsored!  Any form of travel across the flat course is acceptable – walking, jogging, running backwards, walking backwards and juggling!”

Entertainment for the Gala day will include a rock band, an aerobic warm-up, tombola, massage facilities and a barbecue.

Mr Scott continued, “We are delighted that St Andrews has been selected to host this exciting event and we are looking forward to seeing hundreds of residents taking part, getting sponsored and raising money for Sport Relief.”

For the last run of the day, onlookers can expect a spectacular sight when the St Andrews Kendo Club don their running shoes in aid of Sports Relief.

The group of martial artists – kendo is an ancient Japanese sport which involves sparring with bamboo swords – will run the mile in kendo gear, some of them braving the run in full kendo body armour. Appropriately, the club’s motto for the run is ‘Why make it easier?’

The club consists of staff and students of the University of St Andrews as well as members from all over Fife and Tayside.

Club leader Michael Gratzke is a lecturer in German at the University.  He said “The run should be quite a spectacle, with club members running in uniform, which consists of long divided skirts and jackets, and others going for the full body armour.

“We aim to raise £300 for Sport Relief and would be grateful for any support to a good cause.”  To contribute visit www.mysportrelief.com/standrewskendo

For more information on Sport Relief 2008 and to get involved visit www.sportrelief.com

For further local detail contact the Sports Centre on 01334 462190.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

There will be over 200 other Mile events across the UK.  Details of these can be found at www.sportrelief.com.

To make a donation, call 08457 910 910 (calls cost no more than 4p per minute from BT landlines. Other operator and mobile rates may vary)

Since its launch in 2002, almost £50 million has been raised through Sport Relief

Comic Relief spends the money raised to help vulnerable people living incredibly tough lives both at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries.

Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona Armstrong, Press Officer on 01334 462530 / 462529, email [email protected]
Ref:  SportsRelief130308
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