Sport Relief 2012 appeal in the biggest year of sport!

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Published on Thursday, 09 February 2012 12:07

Last Updated on 09 February 2012

Monica Costa

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A whole host of celebrities from the world of sport and entertainment, including Dermot O’Leary, Louise Redknapp, Denise Van Outen and Jonny Wilkinson, have already pledged their support for Sport Relief 2012 as the nation celebrates the biggest ever year of sport. The entire country can join in the fun as the Sport Relief Weekend from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th March is set to be huge; with over one million men, women and kids expected to take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile and a whole weekend of entertainment planned across the BBC.

And, the best bit, all the money raised will help people living unimaginably tough lives in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries.

In September, David Walliams started Sport Relief off with an epic splash when he completed The BT Sport Relief Challenge: Walliams vs The Thames. Despite battling a nasty bacterial bug, itchy water flea bites and bitingly cold water, David swam a staggering 140.54 miles – that’s seven times the length of the channel – and raised over £1million for Sport Relief. Here’s how the public can do their bit:

The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile

Sport Relief is inviting the public to enter the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in London, taking place on Sunday 25th March. With the new route along the Mall taking in some of the most iconic sights the city has to offer, everyone can come together and complete 1, 3 or 6 miles. Milers will pass Horse Guards Parade, the Queen Victoria Memorial, Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch to name but a few. There will be a whole host of famous faces to spot as celebrities take to the streets and participate alongside the great British public.

There’ll also be a whole host of fundraising activities planned at schools and workplaces across the land on Friday 23rd March. Highlights will be beamed out to living rooms across the UK in the BBC’s Mile Show on the Sunday evening – so anyone who enters the Mile might make it onto the telly too. The public can enter the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile now at sportrelief.com.

Sport Relief merchandise is available from Sainsbury’s and Ryman.

Top tips from Fitness First – Sport Relief 2012’s official fitness partner

Create a training schedule

· If it’s your first race, set yourself a training schedule to keep you on track. Set yourself a distance and complete this at run/walk intervals. Once you’re comfortable running, challenge yourself to complete the distance at least once a week without walking.

Work those legs

Skipping is a great way to tone and strengthen the legs. Find your old skipping rope and hop to it! 20 minutes of skipping, four days a week will help you gain the strength you need to cross the finish line.

Always stretch after exercising

· Stretching is great for easing aches and pains and ensures you’re in good shape for the run!

Power in numbers

Sign up for a class to keep yourself moving and motivated. It’s easy to give up on training if no one is watching; working out with friends will give you focus and the push you need to keep up the hard work.

Don’t let your legs do all the work

Include some core exercises in your gym routine to strengthen your abdominal and back muscles. If in doubt, please consult your doctor prior to undertaking any physical activity.

How much does it cost to enter a Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile?

Adults: £6

Children: £3

Family Ticket (two adults and two children): £15

The entry fee helps us to cover the costs of putting on events across the UK. That’s why we also ask you to get sponsored and raise money – that way, you’ll be helping to transform lives here in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries.