Event news: FREE Arena Group Leeds Mini and Junior Run - Sunday, May 12, 2013
Around 1,500 children are set to cut a dash this Spring – when they take part in this year’s Arena Group Leeds Mini and Junior Run.
The popular annual event is back for a fifth year and this year will raise funds for Leeds Mencap, which provides vital advice, help and support for children with learning disabilities and their families across the city.
Taking place on the same day as the Leeds Half Marathon, the Arena Group Leeds Mini and Junior Run is organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All. Thanks to funding from sponsor, Arena Group, it is the biggest FREE mass participation children’s event of its kind in Yorkshire.
Staged on Sunday 12th May, it comprises two runs – a 1.5km mini course for 3 to 8 year-olds and a 2.5km route for 9 to 14 year-olds. Both start and finish in Leeds’ showpiece Millennium Square.
EVERY child is able to run for FREE - thanks to the continued sponsorship from Wakefield-based Arena Group, the region’s document management experts.
Youngsters are simply asked to raise a small amount of money for a charity of their choice. This year they are encouraged to raise sponsorship for Leeds Mencap, to help fund its family centre and support groups.
Mini and Junior Run event lead Tristan Batley-Kyle said: “The mini and junior runs are just brilliant for kids. It’s a great way for them to get involved in sport in a safe and fun environment. This year, they’ll be raising money for a great cause, too. Leeds Mencap does amazing work and we’re proud that our little runners will be helping children with learning disabilities.”
Cath Lee, the CEO of Leeds Mencap said: “We are delighted to be able to work alongside the Arena Group and Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All as their chosen charity for the Junior and Mini run this year.
“All the monies raised from this fun sporting event will help support our children and young people’s projects from our Hawthorn Family Support Centre for very young children with a learning disability helping their early development right through to the Friday Club which is for 18 – 25 year olds. We would encourage each runner to try to raise as much as they can to help young people in Leeds with learning disabilities who need that extra support to learn new skills, conquer boundaries and take part in activities all children and young people like to do!”
Arena Group managing director Adrian Fitzpatrick said the company was excited to be on board for a fifth year. He added: “We are thrilled to be sponsoring the Arena Group Junior and Mini Runs in Leeds for the fifth consecutive year; allowing every child to take part for free. We’re also really pleased to be working with Mencap in support of the invaluable services they provide to local children with learning disabilities and their families. Mencap makes a huge difference to the lives of the families they support across Leeds both through practical and emotional advice and help.”
Entries are now open for the Leeds Mini and Junior Runs. To sign up, go to www.forallevents.co.uk/run-for-all
Entries for the Leeds Half Marathon and Leeds 10K are also now open. Go to www.forallevents.co.uk/run-for-all to enter
