On your marks for city's 2010k race

ATHLETES and schoolchildren are in the running to mark Stoke-on-Trent's centenary.

The 2010k race through Stoke and Hanley will take place on May 30 and as many people as possible are being urged to take part.

It will form part of the city's Festival of Sport, which has been organised to celebrate 100 years since the six Potteries towns came together in a federation.

At the event's launch at the Civic Centre in Stoke yesterday, sporting stars joined politicians in calling for families to sign up for the run.

Derek Capey, cabinet member for sport and leisure at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Anyone can take part in the 2010k and it would be fantastic if as many people as possible took part. You don't need to be a professional runner and if you want to take your family along the fun run is ideal.

"It's about enjoying the day, feeling you've taken part in something that will go down in the city's history, and getting fitter and healthier into the bargain."

Mark Roberts, who won the Potteries Marathon seven times, is organising the 2010k event alongside race secretary Ken Rushton.

Mark said: "The main point of this event is to increase participation in running. Yes, there will be some athletes taking part, and it will be fast at the front, but we want to see everybody coming out and celebrating 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent.

"We've timed the event so it's just a couple of weeks before the Potters 'Arf, so it will be excellent preparation for anyone who is taking part in that. But anyone can get involved in the 2010k run, if they run, walk or jog, it's taking part that's the main thing."

The 10km run will start in Stoke town centre, travelling around the town before moving up through Shelton, Hanley, and Central Forest Park before returning to Stoke.

There will also be a 2km fun run for those who cannot manage the full distance.

Pupils from Weston Coyney Junior School and St Peter's High School were invited to the launch event, where they were inspired by stories of Stoke-on-Trent's past sporting heroes, such as Sir Stanley Matthews and athlete Roy Fowler.

Cheadle runner Mark Dalkins, who came third in the Lisbon Marathon in December, said he hoped the event would encourage more young people to take up running.

He said: "It's important to get people involved in sport from a young age, and so it's encouraging to see something like the 2010k run happening.

"I started running when I was 11 and carried on through high school and at Staffordshire University, competing in cross country races and Marathons. I'm 39 now, but hopefully I've got some more years of running ahead of me."

The event is being sponsored by Staffordshire University and sports shoe company Brooks Running.

Staffordshire University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Paul Richards said: "We are proud to be sponsoring this event, which is helping to boost fitness and wellbeing of the wider community at the same time as celebrating Stoke's rich cultural heritage."

Council leader Ross Irving said: "This is a great way for everyone to get involved with celebrating the city's federation status. In the past, events like the Potteries Marathon have really brought people together and encouraged a fantastic community spirit.

"We have an aspiration to be a healthy city, and this should drive us on towards that goal."

For more information about the 2010k race call Ken Rushton on 01782 330853 or email suken@run222.freeserve.co.uk