ABP Southampton Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k organisers, ReesLeisure, are embracing the health and wellbeing scheme for Southampton Schools, Healthy High 5 Awards, as they invite pupils to get involved in the Fun Run at 4pm on Sunday 5th May, starting at the start/finish line in Guildhall Square.
The Healthy High 5 Award was launched in Southampton in May last year by Southampton City Council and Solent NHS Trust to make it easier for schools to provide healthy and fun activities for all pupils to improve their wellbeing. The award is an easy-to-follow framework for teachers and students.
It has five achievable elements (stars), and when these have all been met, the school will receive the award:
1. Physical activity – Schools must take part in the daily mile/golden mile every day.
2. Access to water – Children must have access to water at all times and the school must be able to encourage and supply it.
3. Healthy Lunch, Breakfast and after school clubs – Schools must ensure that every meal nutritionally counts for pupils.
4. Mindfulness Minute – Schools should encourage pupils to use senses like, touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing to relax, and increase focus and concentration.
5. Nurturing Nature – Growing plants and foods in schools is an important learning opportunity. To achieve this star, schools must help pupils grow and follow the journey of plants and food.
This year at the ABP Southampton Marathon event, organisers have encouraged schools and pupils to sign up. All schools that have registered to take part in the Healthy High 5 campaign have been given a discount code and several complimentary places to encourage children to take part in the fun run.
Nikki Rees, Managing Director for the ABP Southampton Marathon event, said “Our young people’s health and wellbeing is so important, and we should do all that we can to ensure that they look after both their physical and mental health.
“We really want to encourage schools to get involved in our Fun Run which takes place in the afternoon of the ABP Southampton Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k event as part of their daily mile. Places are limited and filling up fast so we would encourage you to sign up soon to avoid missing out!”
Debbie Chase, Service Lead for Public Health, Southampton City Council, said:
“We’re pleased to partner with ABP Southampton Marathon to promote physical activity for school children. Being physically active is essential to our children’s wellbeing and daily running or brisk walking is an excellent way for all of us to stay healthy.
“Many of our schools are finding innovative ways to make physical fitness part of children’s learning. At Woodlands School--where pupils are working towards completing their final 2 stars in their Healthy High 5 Award--they have implemented an ‘Exams Mile’ whereby every pupil sitting an exam walks a mile round the field beforehand and is given a bottle of water to take into their exam to ensure they are focused and hydrated. Bassett Green Primary School have appointed Play Captains who lead physical activities throughout lunchtime and keep playtime active and fun.”
Mia Wren, Head of Early Help and Prevention. Solent NHS Trust, said: “Solent NHS Trust is delighted to have collaborated with the Southampton Marathon to deliver the Healthy High 5 Award. Children across the city have been taking parting in additional physical activities within their school day, including The Daily Mile and The Golden Mile as part of the Healthy High 5 Award. It has been a pleasure to work with ABP on the 5th Anniversary of the ‘Mile Fun Run’ and I know lots of children and families in the city are looking forward to taking part.”
The ABP Fun Run will take place on the same day as the ABP Southampton Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k on Sunday 5th May 2019 so runners will be able to take part in the longer distances in the morning and then have a family run in the afternoon.
The ABP Mile Fun Run was introduced as part of the ABP Southampton event in 2016 and saw 500 children and families take part in the course which incorporates the city centre parks as part of the route.
Sign up for the ABP Southampton Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k or Fun Run here: https://www.abpsouthamptonhalf.co.uk/
