Athletics legend Steve Cram has visited a school in Worcester to encourage children to get active through running. The former 1,500m world champion, Olympic silver medal winner and multiple world record holder, spoke to children at St Barnabas Church of England Primary School, sharing stories from his athletics career and answering questions. Cram made the visit after hearing that up to 150 children from the school are planning to take part in events at this year’s Worcester City Runs on 14 and 15 September.
Steve Cram, BBC TV’s lead athletics commentator, is the founder of the Worcester City Runs, which will return to the city in September. Alongside the popular Worcester City Half Marathon and 10K, the two-day event includes Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track initiative, and the Young Athletes Runs for under 11s and under 15s. St Barnabas Primary School has a very proactive approach to getting children active and last year, scores of pupils took part in the Young Athletes Runs. In 2024, the school hopes that up to 150 children will tackle the one mile run for under 11s on Sunday 15 September, and that 30 family groups will also participate in Families on Track the day before. Cram spoke during the school assembly and provided some insights into his early experiences of running, and later career as an elite athlete. He then answered a range of questions that were posed by pupils.
Sarah Hanson, head teacher of St Barnabas CE Primary, comments: “The ripple effect of having a visit from Olympian Steve Cram will go on for years to come. Our children and adults were inspired and motivated by his visit and are now raring to go! We expect to have record numbers of our school community signing up for the Worcester City Run events this year. We were very proud to be announced as Worcestershire’s Primary School of the year and with Steve’s help and guidance, we are now aiming to also be Worcestershire’s top running school too.”
Steve Cram adds: “It was great to meet the children and talk to them about the importance of getting active, and how running is such an easy way to do that. St Barnabas Primary School is really progressive and proactive, and does a brilliant job of supporting children into participating in sport.
“Over the years, the Worcester City Run’s junior events have grown significantly, and adding Families on Track to the programme a few years ago means that the whole family can participate over the weekend. It will be brilliant to see so many pupils from St Barnabas line up in September and I hope that my visit encouraged them to keep up their running between now and then.”
Places for all of the events at the 2024 Worcester City Runs can be booked at www.worcestercityrun.com.
