Fast Kids Wanted For Street Athletics

FEEL the need for speed? The race to find the fastest youngsters in Manchester over 60 metres has started and this week see's a series of Street Athletics heats across the city.

Street Athletics is a very simple and highly effective youth engagement programme for young people aged under twenty. It targets youngsters who are not engaged in mainstream sports and who can benefit from the confidence and motivation that comes from taking part in a positive community sports event.

Each Street Athletics heat will consist of a series of races over 60m which results in a final for each age group. The top three boys and girls in each age group will then be invited to attend the Manchester final on Friday 9 September 2011, which will be held outside Manchester’s Town Hall in Albert Square. The city’s best runners will go on to the national Street Athletics final on 10 September which will also be held on Albert Square.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council, said: "With just under a year to go now until the Olympics and Paralympics in London, this event is part of our own citywide build up to what promises to be a fantastic year of sport in 2012.

"The Street Athletics event gives all our sporting youngsters the chance to show what they're made of and to take part in a national tournament here on their doorstep that could even see them become a national champion."

If you or someone you know has what it takes and want to give this a shot, then here are the heats times, dates and locations:

Sunday 14 August - Alexandra Park, 2pm- 6pm
Monday 15 August -  Boggart Hole Clough, noon- 3pm
Tuesday 16 August - Plant Hill Park, noon - 3pm
Wednesday 17 August - Hulme Park. 11am- 1pm
Thursday 18 August - Fog Lane Park, 11am-1pm
Thursday 18 August - Wythenshawe Forum, 2pm- 4pm
Friday 19 August - Hollyhedge Park, 11am - 1pm
Friday 19 August - Chorlton Park, 2pm - 4pm

Manchester Final: Friday 9 September - Albert Square, 5-9pm
National Final: Saturday 10 September - Albert Square, 1-5pm

There's no need to register in advance- just turn up on the day. For further information visit www.streetathletics.co.uk or email athleticsdevelopment@manchester.gov.uk