Kenyan Stars and Local Sporting Role Models Make a Day to Remember for Local Schoolchildren

Earlier this week I attended a fantastic event which saw around 600 children from schools across Bedford Borough take part in a once in a lifetime opportunity to run alongside world class Kenyan athletes and a number of inspirational local sportspeople. The children were from schools who had taken part in the Bedford Borough Schools Marathon Club, which comprised a series of runs over a ten week period organised by the Council's Sports Development Team. The one-mile run around Bedford Park on Monday represented the culmination of the 'schools' marathon.' The Kenyan athletes, Philip Langat and Shadrack Kosgei, had taken part in the London Marathon on the previous day, yet despite that and despite having a plane to catch in the evening, they were on great form all day, taking part in run after run with the youngsters and making sure that it would be an occasion for them all to remember for years to come.

Huge credit is also due to the the other guest runners, with a number of inspirational local sporting figures all appearing on a voluntary basis (in some variable weather!) and helping the children to enjoy a really unique experience which I've no doubt helped encourage them to continue taking part and enjoying physical activities and sports. The guest runners included a number of Bedford Blues players, British international sprinter Lesley Owusu, British international Women's Sitting Volleyball player Julie Rogers, rower Ed Munno and extremely promising young local athletes Jack Goodwin, Rebecca Murray, Alice Burgin and Ryan Isaacson. A special thanks to all of them.

The final guest runner was inspirational octogenarian runner Iva Barr. Iva has run over 20 marathons and is as enthusiastic about her running as ever. She is also a tireless volunteer for local charities, and has been selected as an Olympic torchbearer, a richly deserved honour. Iva and I acted as starters for one of the afternoon runs and it was a real pleasure to see her, as always.

The presence of the elite Kenyan athletes Philip and Shadrack, who had acted as the pacemakers in the men's race in the London Marathon, was secured thanks to the efforts of Kenyan Community Bedford, and builds on the week-long visit to Bedford in 2010 by a group of world class Kenyan athletes.

It really was fantastic to see so many children from lower, middle, upper and special schools from across the borough enjoying this genuine community event which comes as anticipation grows around this summer's Olympic Games. I look forward to further events through the summer which which will build on the Olympic Spirit, such as the 'Olympic Livesite' free festival of sport which will take place at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium during the Games themselves.