News

The event held in large towns and cities throughout England and Scotland will take place in the Lidl car park, Haven Drive, Hawkinge on Sunday July 5.

The 60 metre races aimed at 9 to 19 year-olds will see the winners competing in the finals in Manchester.

It will be the third time the event has been held in the village.

The Street Athletics initiative was launched in 2005 by Christie's Nuff Respect organisation. By using sport - and music - the scheme has attracted many youngsters who feel disengaged with society and have not been catered for by any existing grassroots schemes. Young people are invited to turn up to an area in their city and race.

A Street Athletics session consists of a series of races and will result in a final race for each age group. Races are split into four age groups (U-20, U-17, U-15 and U-13) for boys and girls. The top two from each age group category are invited to attend the grand final event. Sixteen athletes from each city race at the final. The only rule is that participants do not wear spikes in the heats or in the grand final.

You just need to turn up, register and run! To find out the dates, just e-mail info@streetathletics.co.uk .

"Just e-mail us and you can get all the details, or go onto the website - www.streetathletics.co.uk  - to find out about Street Athletics," Christie said. "You just need to bring your bad self to give it your all and compete. See you on the street."