City in the running for fitness legacy
Bid to maximise potential health benefits
Efforts are being made to ensure major running events being held in Stirling will pay health dividends for more than just the participants.
Stirling Council’s community planning and regeneration committee agreed in April to work with the Great Run Company to secure the International Cross Country Championships, Great Winter Run and Scottish Youth Inter-District Championships.
The proposal is for an initial three year period from 2019.
On January 12 Stirling Castle will provide the backdrop to the cross country event which has hosted international superstars such as Sir Mo Farah and Laura Muir and been a pivotal competition in the career of many top class Scottish athletes. The other two events will also take place on that date.
Estimated economic impact in the first year could be up to £1million, with the added value of media coverage and promotion of Stirling estimated to be worth a further £3million.
However committee members, while supportive of the reputational, economic and sporting benefits, have said they also want Stirling’s hosting of the events to stand out by spreading the advantages as much as possible in the wider Stirling community.
In a report due before a meeting of the committee tomorrow (Thursday) chief officer for strategic commissioning and customer development Isabel McKnight said: “Officers from the economic growth and events team are continuing to work with the Great Run Company to finalise the location agreement. Stirling’s ambition to maximise the potential of the event to change lives through sport and physical activity has been made clear during these discussions.”
Among ideas to engage people are encouraging people from all Stirling communities to take up volunteering opportunities; working with clubs and schools to encourage secondary age youngsters to take part in the East District Cross Country series with the aim of selection for the Inter District Champions; and encouraging participation in the mass participation 7K Great Stirling Castle Run on the same day, building training programmes in partnership with Jog Scotland, including for novice runners.
Subsidised places may also be provided for the 7K, including for young people in or who have left care, recovering addicts and the unemployed.
Those taking part in the 7K may also be given chances to continue running or other forms of physical activity and sport, through clubs and programmes.
Stirling’s ambition to maximise the potential of the event has been made clear