NEWHAM LONDON RUN IS A ROARING SUCCESS
Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu MBE and Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales set around 3,700 runners on their way today (Sunday) for the Newham London Run.
The race, one of the first to enter the Olympic Park, started and finished at Stratford Park before passing close to the 2012 Games stadium and on to West Ham Park, The Greenway and Stratford town centre.
Among the racers were celebrities Jodie Prenger, winner of BBC's I'd Do Anything, and Steven Hartley, Ray MacAllan and Abby Francis, who have appeared in The Bill, EastEnders and Waking the Dead respectively.
The men's event was won by Jacob Howe in 36mins 34secs and the women's race was won by Sylvie Lloyd in 39mins 37 secs.
Sir Robin said: "The 2012 Games are all about inspiring people to set ambitious targets and go for them. That's why I'm thrilled that thousands have taken up the challenge to run and been a part of history by participating in one of the first races to enter the Olympic Park.
"It is vitally important that the venues, parklands and other facilities are useful and accessible to our residents once the Games are over."
Stratford girl Christine, who was raised just a stone's thrown from the Olympic Park, and was given Freedom of the Borough by Newham Council last year, said: "This was a great day for Newham and it does the borough proud to see so many smiling faces."
Olympic Delivery Authority chairman, John Armitt, said: "The Olympic Park is taking shape in the east London skyline and this was a great opportunity for runners to see it up close. Those on the Newham London Run were among the first runners to compete in the Park."
Olympic Park Legacy Company chief executive, Andrew Altman, said: "The Newham Run gave people a taste of just how inspiring the Olympic Park can be. It is important that people living around the site feel a sense of community and ownership towards the Park after the Games. This is why the Olympic Park Legacy Company is working to ensure local people can benefit from the site and its facilities after the Games."
The fun-packed family day also included the Newham London Family Fun Run
- a 2.5km event for ages five years and over.