SHOPPERS IN A SPIN FOR RACE

Shoppers were challenged by a Wearside Olympian to get more active as this year’s Sunderland City 10k and half marathon events near.

As part of the lead-up to this year’s event, Run Sunderland Festival staff were at the Bridges alongside the Everyone Active team and three spin bikes.

Shoppers were asked to pedal on a bike for exactly one minute, stopping when they think the time is up without using a watch or digital timer to guide them.

Every attempt was recorded, with the winner receiving a 12-month free membership to Everyone Active along with a free entry to the Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon or 10K and a Start Me Up For Sunderland technical T-shirt.

Team GB marathon star Aly Dixon was on hand for an “ask the expert” Q&A session, which was streamed live on Facebook, offering advice and encouragement to aspiring runners.

Spot prizes were also awarded to some of those who had their photos taken.

The day concluded with the latest Start Me Up For Sunderland (SMUFS) session, when 50 runners set off on a training run from the Bridges, led by Aly and a team of qualified coaches.

Originally launched in 2015, the SMUFS initiative has become a key part of the build-up to the Run Sunderland Festival, designed to help less experienced runners prepare for the challenge of the 10K or half marathon.

Run Sunderland event founder Steve Cram said: “We brought the Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K right into the city centre last year and the move worked really well.

“It has allowed event partners like the Bridges Shopping Centre to get more involved in promoting the races.”

Samantha Czwordon-Wright, marketing manager at the Bridges shopping centre, added: “It’s great news to hear that we are attracting runners from further afield and that as well as taking part in the run, they can also hopefully take the time to enjoy everything Sunderland has to offer on race day.”

The Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K are being organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Sunderland City Council and Active Sunderland.

For more information about the 2017 half marathon and 10K and to book a place on one of them, go to www.sunderlandcity10k.com.

“We brought the races into the city centre last year” STEVE CRAM

Sunderland’s 10k Bridges Cycle Challenge, from left, Events of the North’s Andy Bridges and Anji Rippon, Sunderland Olympian Alyson Dixon, Events of the North’s Rachel Davison and Everyone Active’s Lee Elliott.