A RACE in Poole Park for young people has been launched by the pupils of St Edward’s School.

GCSE students from the school, based on Dale Valley Road, gathered on Wednesday for the opening of this year’s Minithons event, which is part of the Daily Echo-backed Poole Festival of Running, being held on Sunday, June 1.

Featuring five different categories for teens and children to take part in the family-themed day out, young people are now being called up to sign up to the mile and one-and-a-half mile-events.

Sam Pope, head of PE at St Edwards School, said: “We hope to get as many young people as possible to take part in the races on June 1.

“I think it’s a great way to encourage competition and increases the competitive element among young people.”

Linda Adby, part of the culture and community services team at Borough of Poole Council, said: “We are encouraging as many schools as possible to take part in the Minithons event and every year we offer a £150 prize to the Poole school which has the most entrants to the Poole Festival of Running.”

Depending on age, the morning of race day will be dedicated to the young people’s races starting at various times from 10am to 11am, with trophies offered for the winning girls and boys in each age group.

In recognition of their efforts, all participants will also be given a medal after taking part.

These events have been organised in addition to the Poole 10k Race, Dorset Cancer Centre 5k supported by the Daily Echo and the Children’s Under-Eights Fun Run.

For more information, go to Poolerunners.com