Thousands rise to the Sport Relief challenge (From Daily Echo)

Thousands rise to the Sport Relief challenge

9:51am Monday 22nd March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

• View Gallery

THEY took a deep breath, waited under starter’s orders then hit the road for a giant jogging fundraiser in Southampton.

The city centre came to a standstill as thousands of runners limbered up for the Sport Relief Mile charity bonanza.

Spectators lined the streets as a non-stop stream of participants snaked around a course from Hoglands Park to the Bargate and back.

There were runners dressed as superheroes, army personnel carrying heavy backpacks and even men balancing on giant stilts.

Meanwhile Rollapaluza Cycle Club, Batala Samba Band and Liberty Pride Cheerleaders were among the acts entertaining the thousands of runners and spectators yesterday.

Celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock as well as Olympic sailor Dee Caffari took part in the event, which saw participants run either six, three or one mile depending on their ability.

Dee said: “I really had to dust off my running shoes for this. Last week I sailed my sport mile which was much easier.

“It was fantastic to get the opportunity to do something like this in my area.

“We have all seen it for a week on TV, but to have it on your doorstep is a real buzz.

“It’s amazing what we can do when we all pull together.”

The Sport Relief Weekend has so far raised a whopping national total of more than £30 million – smashing last year’s total.

The cash will be spent by Comic Relief to transform lives – both here in the UK and across some of the world’s poorest countries.