8th September 2008

Sally Gunnell Launches McCain Track & Field

 

 

8 September 2008

 

 

 

 

The first McCain Track & Field Days, hosted by Olympic champion Sally Gunnell, started on Saturday 6th September in four major cities across the UK.

 

Families were given the opportunity to be introduced to, and take part in, different athletics disciplines. McCain Track & Field is open to all – whether you are a talented runner or if you’ve never won a race in your life, everyone will have a chance to have a go.

 

Track & Field is a nationwide campaign launched by McCain, Principal Partner of UK Athletics, that will make athletics more accessible to more people. Over the next five years, McCain’s sponsorship will play an integral role in helping to find and nurture the champions of tomorrow by inspiring more people to get more active.

 

Sally Gunnell will be joined by local Team GB heroes at each of the McCain Track & Field Days in London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Cardiff.

 

Throughout the day every entrant’s distance and time in every athletics discipline they try will be recorded for a city accumulative total to compete with other McCain Track & Field cities. Individual prizes will also be awarded for the longest and highest jump, longest throw and quickest times on the track.

 

Prior to the Track & Field Days, McCain will host a series of roadshows in city centres to provide a fun taster of athletics and encourage the local community to sign up and try the real thing. An activity centre will encourage the general public to take part in activities testing their agility, strength, power, speed, co-ordination and fitness levels.

 

Host of the McCain Track & Field Days, Sally Gunnell, comments, “I believe in balancing an active lifestyle with enjoying good food.  As a busy mum with three growing boys, I know all about the pressures that parents face in getting their children to eat healthily and get active and am delighted that McCain has joined forces with UKA to help support them and encourage everyone to get into the sport I love.”

 

What can you expect at your McCain Track & Field Day?

 

  •         Join the warm up for tips and advice on how to prepare for your day on the track

  •        Try your hand at the long jump, high jump and shot put

  •         ‘Keep the Chip Live!’ by running legs of the track, keeping the baton alive to contribute to your city total. Each city will go head to head with other cities where McCain Track & Field Days will be hosted: London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Cardiff. The city which runs the most laps will be crowned the ‘fittest city’

  •         Challenge your friends and family in the 60 metre sprint, Potato & Spoon Race and Potato Sack Race

  •        Enter the Fitness Centre to test your heart rate and BMI

  •       Find out where your local athletics club is and if you want to develop your new found skills, sign up!

  •       Meet Olympic champion Sally Gunnell and other local Team GB athletes

 

Nick Vermont, Regional CEO at McCain says, “Our Track & Field Days are a great opportunity for everyone to get involved and have a go. We make good, simple food and have a role to play in promoting a healthy balanced lifestyle to our consumers, ensuring that they are leading an active life as well as enjoying good food.”

 

The remaining McCain Track & Field Roadshows and Days will also take place in the following cities:

 

Birmingham

  • McCain Track & Field Day, Alexander Stadium, Saturday 13th September

 

Sheffield

  • McCain Track & Field Roadshow, Fargate, Saturday 13th September
  • McCain Track & Field Day, EIS, Sunday 14th September

 

Cardiff

  • McCain Track & Field Roadshow, Oval Basin, Saturday 20th September
  • McCain Track & Field Day, Cardiff International Stadium, Sunday 21st September

 

For more information on McCain Track & Field, please visit www.mccaintrackandfield.co.uk