Women of all ages and abilities are being invited to join the 1.2 mile Fun Run which forms part of the hugely successful Yeovil Half Marathon event on Sunday 26 March.
The brand new Fun Run is the result of a partnership between the In It Together project – which is led by South Somerset District Council – and Total Buzz Events.
The route is ideal for all abilities but is especially suited to women who have just started running or would like begin but just need some encouragement.
Debbie Hill, Women and Girls Development Officer at South Somerset District Council commented, “We are delighted to be offering women and girls aged 16 and over the chance to run in front of a supportive crowd in the town centre. The In It Together project is all about getting women moving and what better way to start than this Fun Run.
“We have already had a great reaction to the Fun Run which is really exciting. Registering is easy, just visit www.yeovilhalf.com. For details of other opportunities for women to get active visit www.facebook.com/InItTogetherSouthSomerset or email us at [email protected].”
Steve Elliott, Race Director, Yeovil Half Marathon commented, “With the Half Marathon now becoming a ‘must do’ event in the West Country running calendar, the launch of the Fun Run gives many more the chance to enjoy the atmosphere of the Half Marathon. Fun runners this year, Half Marathon runners maybe next year. We are delighted to be working with SSDC to bring This Girl Can to Yeovil.”
Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at South Somerset District Council said, “Spearheaded by the excellent This Girl Can campaign there is a real movement around female participation in sport and physical activity at the moment. We are delighted to work in partnership with Total Buzz Events to offer the Women’s Fun Run as well as the Children’s Fun Run.
I would urge people to sign up, the event will have a real ‘feel-good factor’ and it could be the start of an enjoyable journey into running.”
In 2012/13 31.7% of females within the district took part in sport and physical activity (at least once per week) compared with 37.5% of males. Our local survey of 300 females found that 96% of these wanted to be more physically active, 27% were currently inactive. This funding will enable us and our local partners to start to break down many of the barriers to participation in sport that exist for women and girls in South Somerset.
This project is one of over 40 projects nationally to secure a share in £8.2 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England. Encouraging people to give sport a go, the fund empowers local communities to reach out to people who for one reason or another don’t exercise.