Nine year-old Tate Sharpe and his mother Simone, who live just a few miles from the Olympic Stadium in Newham, have laid the first sections of the new running track at the Olympic Stadium. The Sharpes are enjoying the Olympic legacy. They are regular visitors to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, they swim in the London Aquatics Centre and watch basketball in the Copper Box. Simone Sharpe said: “We were already looking forward to running in the Stadium in July but to help lay the track we are going to run on was amazing.”
They were joined by young sports celebrities CJ Ujah and Adelle Tracey. CJ is from Enfield. He was still a junior competitor when the 2012 Games were held in the Stadium, but since then he has become one of only six British men to have run under 10 seconds for the 100m. Adelle was one of the seven promising teenage athletes who lit the Olympic flame at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She is now hoping to win a place in Team GB to run the 800m in Rio this summer.
The Sharpes hope to be among the first runners to use the new when they take part in the Great Newham London 2km Family Run this summer. The popular Family Run, which is for children aged five to 18 and accompanying adults, and the Great Newham London Run 10km are being held on Sunday, 17th July. The finishing line for the runs is in the Stadium itself, so runners will have a taste of what Olympic glory feels like. Entry into the run costs £8, which includes two free tickets for friends or family to watch the competitor. Competitors may also choose to support a charity by finding sponsors who will give the charity money in return for the competitor completing the run. To find out more about the run and to sign up to take part, go to: http://www.greatrun.org/great-newham-london-run/great-newham-london-family-run.
Also helping to lay the new track was Brendan Foster, Chair of the Great Run Company which organises the Great Newham London Run. He said: “I still get a buzz every time I come into the Stadium remembering the incredible atmosphere during London 2012 and the achievements of athletes like Mo Farah, Jess Ennis-Hill, Usain Bolt and David Rudisha.”
The athletes were joined by controversial Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales. He said: “We all witnessed some inspirational displays in the Stadium during the 2012 Games. The Great Newham London Run gives our residents and others the unique chance of following their footsteps in this iconic venue as well as creating new memories. I would urge more people to follow the lead of the Sharpe family and sign up for the 10km or the Family Run.”
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