Sunderland gets ready for a fun family fitness day

Paula Radcliffe's Families on Track relay event is returning to Silksworth on Sunday 13 April from 1pm.

Families are being invited to join in this fun family fitness event at Silksworth Sports Complex on the recently refurbished Silksworth Athletics Track. As a group, families need to complete the 8k (8,000 meters) of continuous running loops of various distances from 200m, 400m and 800m. Families can choose any combination of loops but must run a combined total of 8k. These loops are run individually before running the final stretch to the finish line all together.

Each team can be between three to five people, of which at least one must be under 16 and at least one over 18.

The relay event will give the whole family a chance to be active together, no matter their fitness level. This will be the first event to take place on the recently refurbished Silksworth Athletics Track which received £230,000 worth of funding from Everyone Active last November.

The event takes place on a closed running track and will be a safe and fun event. Everyone who completes the event will receive a medal, t-shirt and goodie bag.

Entry for the event will cost just £5 per family. Families wanting to join can sign up by visiting: Families On Track - Everyone Active

After the run, families can extend their day of fun and fitness and participate in a range of rugby skills delivered by Active Sunderland and partners. This will take place on the 3G pitches near the athletics track. Anyone can take part no matter your age or ability and even without any experience of rugby. This is part of a Community Rugby programme delivered in the city in advance of Sunderland hosting the opening game of the Women's Rugby World Cup on Friday 22 August at the Stadium of Light.

Come along and take part in some rugby themed games and try something new between 2pm and 4pm.

Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: "It is fantastic to see this event taking place and bringing families together for a fun day of exercise and sport.

"Paula Radcliffe's Families on Track event is always so popular, it's great to see it come back on our newly refurbished athletics track. And the free rugby skills sessions following are a good opportunity for residents to learn the sport and try something new ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer.

"I'd like to encourage families to come and take part in this brilliant fun family fitness afternoon."

Ian Bradgate, contract manager for Everyone Active said: "We are really looking forward to welcoming families from the local community to this fantastic event. This is a great opportunity to showcase our state-of-the-art athletics track to people of all ages and abilities, and we encourage everyone to get involved."

Families wanting to take part can find out more information at Families on Track - Paula Radcliffe's Fun, family, fitness