To the backdrop of a roaring crowd in central London, children enjoyed the experience of a lifetime when they joined world-class athletes, including Paralympic champions and David Weir and Hannah Cockcroft, to race along The Mall as part of the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games.

Forty children selected from Active Kids schools and clubs across the country took part in a unique 'fun run' along The Mall, watched by a crowd of thousands. As Weir and Cockcroft returned to compete again in London, the scene of their greatest triumphs at London 2012, the children were bouncing on space hoppers and racing with egg and spoons along the iconic stretch.

The initiative was part of the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games, which brought some of the world's top athletes to Horse Guards Parade and The Mall; also making a select number of races available to the public to watch for free.

The children took on a number of sports day style activities, including egg and spoon race; target throws; hula hoop; ball skills and a space hopper race. The children were chosen because their organisations are top collectors in Sainsbury's  Active Kids vouchers for equipment scheme.As part of the day, the kids and their families also received tickets to watch their Olympic and Paralympic heroes compete in the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games in Horse Guards Parade.

The Sainsbury's Active Kids 'fun run' on The Mall by numbers:

  • 1000 ball bounces
  • 800 skips
  • 600m of space hopper bounces
  • 400m of egg and spoon racing
  • 200 hula hoop spins

After completing the race, the children were presented with their medals at the finish line by Paralympic Gold Medallist, Jonnie Peacock who had competed in the T44 100M earlier that day.

Jonnie Peacock said, "Seeing 40 children riding space hoppers down The Mall, in front of Buckingham Palacewas pretty surreal, but really added to the excitement of the day! I hope that through activities like these we can help to inspire not just the next generation of athletes, but everyone across the UK to lead healthier, more active lifestyles."

Tara Hewitt, Sainsbury's Head of Sponsorship adds: "Today will go down as one of the most memorable athletics event in central London. The children in the Active Kids fun race on The Mall will no doubt remember it for years to come." 

Sainsbury's is proud to be a long-term partner of British Athletics through its involvement in the Sainsbury's Summer Series of events, which include the Sainsbury's Birmingham Grand Prix (24th August), as well as the IPC European Championships in Swansea.

Since 2005, Sainsbury's customers have donated over £136 million worth of equipment and experiences to organisations across the UK through Active Kids.

To find out more about the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games visit:http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-series/sainsburys-anniversary-games-ii/

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