Young runners take to Olympic Stadium track during Anniversary Games
The eight youngsters from Newham and Essex Beagles with Sir Chris Hoy - Credit: Nicola Bligh
Young runners were able to follow in the footsteps of their sporting heroes by taking to the track during the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games.
The eight unsuspecting athletes were watching Saturday’s action in the Olympic Stadium when Sir Chris Hoy announced they would be taking part in a special race.
The youngsters, from Newham and Essex Beagles, took to the track for a 100m race in front of the packed crowd.
Their first taste of action in the stadium was witnessed by millions of television viewers as well.
Sir Chris, Britain’s most successful Olympian, then presented each of the young runners with a medal.
Elyzabeth Shitta-Bey, a coach from the Newham and Essex Beagles, said: “I can honestly say that the youngsters, coaches, parents, and even the BBC presenters were well and truly surprised.”
“I’m so grateful that the National Lottery enables athletics clubs like Newham and Essex Beagles to provide grassroots athletics programmes, helping young athletes to become World Class professionals.”
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The club, which receives National Lottery finding, has seen a number of its athletes reach the global scale, counting Mo Farah, Christine Ohuruogo and Robbie Grabarz among its alumni.
