Tees Valley Leisure is getting ready to kick off a programme aimed at inspiring primary age children to run 50 miles through the course of 2014.

More than 3000 children from 10 schools in Middlesbrough have signed up to take part in the initiative, which launches in January’s National Obesity Awareness Week.

Designed to encourage physical activity along with being fun and offering rewards and personal achievement, pupils will be able to walk, jog, run or cycle a course marked out at their school, either before or after school, at lunchtime and during PE lessons. The aim is to do one mile a week and 50 during the year. The programme is fully funded by Tees Valley Leisure, so there is no cost to schools or parents

“The Golden Mile will help to tackle the problem of childhood obesity, a national issue that is prevalent on Teesside,” says managing director of Tees Valley Leisure, Ian Donley. “It’s all inclusive, for all the children, not only those who are good at sport. The whole idea is to get children in the habit of walking, running and cycling, to pull them away from the internet and games consoles and to see physical activity as enjoyable and fun.”

Tees Valley Leisure has also teamed up with North East Athletic to deliver a one year football programme to help recovering addicts keep away from drugs and alcohol.