IRONKIDS activity programmes promote healthy and active lifestyles - SUN, FUN, RUN!

Organisers of IRONKIDS Scotland, a series of three fun and family-friendly running events for young people aged 3 to 14 of all abilities, being staged at Dalkeith Country Park on Friday 29 June 2018 (pm), Preston Links, Prestonpans, on Saturday 30 June 2018 (am) and Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, on Saturday 30 June 2018 (pm), have announced a programme of free live entertainment, have a go activities and sports taster sessions at each venue to kick start the summer holidays.

With support from the Year of Young People 2018, teams of young volunteers, aged between eight and 26, from the local communities have been working together to develop supplementary activity programmes at each venue location that will not only entertain young runners but will also inspire children and their families to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through dance, sport and outdoor activities.

Catriona Morrison, Project Coordinator for IRONKIDS Scotland, said: “Teams of young people from each of the three local authority areas have been working together to design and source the activities and entertainments that will be on offer at each of the three IRONKIDS events. They have also been working on key areas like the graphic design of marketing materials and will be commentating at all three venues.

“The packed schedule at each venue is a testament to lots of planning and hard work from out young volunteers and we are looking forward to a busy but action packed weekend.”

The three bespoke programmes will include a range of active pursuits like mountain bike skills and making your own smoothie on a bike (My Adventure and Fundamental Foods); sports taster sessions from Highland Games (EnjoyLeisure Sports Development), open water swimming and judo (Randori Judo) to athletics and hockey; and giant games, bouncy castle and crazy golf. The young runners and their families will also be entertained before their energetic activities with live music from local young bands (The Red School Youth Centre’s music project – East Lothian) and singer Songwriter (Zoee – Australia); or with Highland, Street, Hip Hop and Contemporary dance displays from local dance crews (Upbeat Dance & Wren Dance Studio – Midlothian).

Ahead of the age group runs local dance groups, including Southside School of Dance (Midlothian) and Step It Up Dance (Edinburgh), will get the adrenaline pumping with mass warm up sessions, motivating the young runners before they kick off their runs of between 500m and 2km. The Holy Rood Cheerleaders (from Holy Rood RC High School )will also be on hand at Holyrood Park to demonstrate their skills and push on the runners towards the finish line.

The activity programme at Preston Links, Prestonpans, will even be offering Open Water swimming taster sessions in the Firth of Forth from Linda Mclean Coaching with instruction by fully qualified coaches and full safety cover provided.

Muckmedden Events are bringing their mountain bike skills track to all three venues with a range of different trail features including ramps, see saws and skinnies to try. A selection of bike and helmets will be available to use for their sessions.

There will be a variety of other sports and dance taster and come and try sessions at all the venues; everything from football skills (Dalkeith Thistle Community Football Club and Spartans Community Football Academy) to athletics, Highland Games, rugby and hip hop dance.

The IRONKIDS Scotland events are an exciting addition to the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh triathlon race weekend that is being staged in Edinburgh and across East Lothian and Midlothian on Sunday 1 July 2018. They are also a key part of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018 celebrations.

The activities and entertainment will be offered at each venue from the start of onsite registration until the start of the first age group runs. Everyone is invited to arrive early so that they can get fully involved and make the best of what is on offer.

Event venues, dates and timings:

IRONKIDS Scotland – Midlothian, at Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 2NA, on Friday 29 June 2018
Race registration on the day from 00 – 15.00
Event entertainment and activities from 14.00 – 16.00
Age Group runs from 16.00 – 05
IRONKIDS Scotland – East Lothian, at Preston Links, High Street, Prestonpans, East Lothian EH32 9AN, on Saturday 30 June 2018.
Race registration on the day 09:00 – 10:00
Event entertainment and activities from 09.00 – 11.00
Age Group runs from 11.00 – 12.05
IRONKIDS Scotland – Edinburgh at Holyrood Park, 1 Queen’s Drive, Edinburgh, EH8 8HG, on Saturday 30 June 2018
Race registration on the day from 09:00 – 14:00
Event entertainment and activities from 13.00 – 15.00
Age Group runs from 15.00 – 16.05

For more information on IRONKIDS Scotland, go to http://bit.ly/IRONKIDSscotland; or search IRONKIDS Scotland. Entries will be available on the day at each venue during registration – £5 – cash /credit/debit card (including a small booking fee). Entry includes an IRONKIDS T-shirt to run in and a Finishers Medal.

Full details of the bespoke IRONKIDS Scotland activity programmes at Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith; Preston Links, Prestonpans; and Holyrood Park, Edinburgh can be see in Notes to Editors below.

Ends

Media contact for IRONKIDS Scotland:

Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: [email protected] |

M: +44 (0)7913 951717

IRONKIDS Scotland launch images (captioned images from launch events in East Lothian, Edinburgh and Midlothian) can be viewed and downloaded by going to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2fdbuyxao2nnk7c/AABm3Ugirxs1tAgSKQosqvOAa?dl=0

Please credit David Cheskin.

Generic images of IRONKIDS UK events can be viewed and downloaded by going to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nyll1xty59h3og1/AACQuJQZs90cd6rs46j6pgv_a?dl=0

Please credit Huw Fairclough.

Notes to Editors:

For more information on IRONKIDS Scotland and to enter:

For more information on IRONKIDS Scotland and to enter online, go to http://bit.ly/IRONKIDSscotland; or search IRONKIDS Scotland.

IRONKIDS Scotland – Activities and Entertainment

Midlothian – Activities and Entertainment

Event entertainment and activities at Dalkeith Country Park from 14.00 – 16.00

Age Group runs from 16.00 – 17.05

Cycling skills sessions

Skills bike track from Muckmedden Events (http://www.muckmedden.co.uk/portable-bike-track-hire/) to test and improve bike skills – Open sessions on a track with a range of different trail features including ramps, see saws and skinnies! A selection of bike sizes and styles and helmets will be available. The Muckmedden team will be on hand to give some riding tips. http://www.muckmedden.co.uk/portable-bike-track-hire/

Dance displays, mass warm up session and dance taster sessions

Southside School of Dance (https://www.facebook.com/Southsideschoolofdance/) – the dance schools two competition teams will deliver lyrical, musical theatre, acro and hip hop routines. They will also be offering taster sessions and a warm up from the senior team.

Upbeat Dance (http://upbeatdanceonline.com / @upbeatdance1 / @upbeatdanceonline) – Four groups of dancers aged between 7 and 16 will showcase their dance skills with a mix of Street, Hip Hop Contemporary, tap and Ballet routines.

Wren Dance Studio (https://www.facebook.com/groups/476802362395238/) – A team of young people from the dance school will showcase their Highland dancing skills with a number of routines during the event.

Football taster sessions

Dalkeith Thistle Community Football Club (http://www.dalkeiththistlecfc.com/) – Activities will include beat the goalie, small sided games and football training exercises

Judo taster sessions

Randori Judo (http://www.randorijudo.com/) will be set up in front of the Orangerie, offering have a go taster sessions from 14.00 to 15.30. Randori Judo is the newest provider of Judo Coaching and Instruction within Midlothian. With teacher Mark Taylor, Randori Judo provides quality Judo coaching for children in 3 different age groups (P1 – P7) based around having fun learning and promoting Social, Emotional and Physical Wellbeing and personal achievement.

Other sports taster sessions – to be confirmed – include:

Junior Bootcamp

East Lothian – Activities and Entertainment

Event entertainment and activities at Preston Links from 09.00 to 11.00

Age Group runs from 11.00 – 12.05

Music entertainment

Bands from The Red School Youth Centre’s music project (http://redschool.ellp.net/drupal), with support from Rambling Stage Events (https://www.ramblingstageevents.com/), will entertain the crowds from a mobile stage, showcasing their talents with a range of upbeat cover songs from various genres, mixed in with a few of their own original songs.

The Red School Youth Centre has a thriving youth music scene where young people between 10 and 18 years old get the chance to experiment with and learn different musical instruments. Young people can also take part in mentored band practice sessions where experienced youth music specialists help them to achieve their goals. The club aims is to provide help and tuition to young people and find them opportunities such as the IRONKIDS Scotland events to showcase what they have been working on.

Smoothie bike!

Smoothie Bike from My Adventure (https://myadventure.org.uk) and Fundamental Foods (http://www.thepennypitcommunitydevelopmenttrust.com) – Make a fruit smoothie using your own pedal power!

Open water swimming taster sessions

Small group Open Water taster sessions in the Firth of Forth from Linda Mclean Coaching (http://www.lindamcleancoaching.com/). Instruction by fully qualified coaches and full safety cover provided using kayaks. Wetsuits, goggles and caps provided on the day. Please bring extra clothes/swimming costumes to wear under a wetsuit and a towel.

Participants will be able to sign up on the day to rolling sessions from 09.00 before the age group runs begin at 11.00. Spaces will be limited. Please email [email protected] to register interest / book a slot in advance.

Cycling skills sessions

Sports taster sessions

Organised by volunteers from EnjoyLeisure Sports Development team (http://www.enjoyleisure.com/) include:

Highland games – from tossing the caber to flinging the welly boot!
Hockey
Rugby
Football

Fire safety

A visit from The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/). A local fire crew will be in attendance with their Fire Appliance and will offer general fire safety advice to visitors, both young and old.

Edinburgh – Activities and Entertainment

Event entertainment and activities at Holyrood Park from 13.00 – 15.00

Age Group runs from 15.00 – 16.05

Smoothie bike!

Smoothie bike from My Adventure (https://myadventure.org.uk) and Fundamental Foods (http://www.thepennypitcommunitydevelopmenttrust.com) – Make a fruit smoothie using your own pedal power!

Cycle skills sessions

Skills bike track from Muckmedden Events (http://www.muckmedden.co.uk/portable-bike-track-hire/) to test and improve bike skills – Open sessions on a track with a range of different trail features including box and skinny ramps, see saws and skinnies! A selection of bike sizes and styles and helmets will be available. The Muckmedden team will be on hand to give some riding tips. http://www.muckmedden.co.uk/portable-bike-track-hire/

Giant games, bouncy castle and crazy golf

There will be loads of fun to had for all ages with a range of giant games, a bouncy castle and crazy golf delivered by ABC Events (http://www.abc-events.co.uk/aboutabc), providers of first class Event Services and entertainment all over the UK for the last 24 years.

Music entertainment

Zoee (https://www.zoee.uk/), the Australian native singer-songwriter (and adventurer), the rarest of Alternative Country/Pop phenomena, will be performing at Holyrood Park. Her ever-present storytelling theme has been compared to world-class artists such as Rod Stewart, James Blunt, Steve Earle, Dolly Parton & Taylor Swift. Dusted with underlying messages & entwined with personal narratives, Zoee keeps her sound grounded & raw, much like the music of the 1970’s & 1980’s. Elegant. Powerful. Individual.

Having recorded and released her first studio demo album, “On The Road”, in 2015 she moved across the world to the UK in 2016 to pursue her passion for music. In July ’17 Zoee graced the BBC Introducing stage at the Brentwood Festival; in August she wrapped her month-long stint of performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe; and by December she earnt her place in the Open Mic UK Songwriting showcase where she came 3rd out of thousands of participants.Group warms up for runners Step it up dance

Football taster sessions

Spartans Community Football Academy (https://www.spartanscfa.com/) – Activities will include beat the goalie, small sided games and football training exercises

Mass Warm Up Session

Step It Up Dance (https://stepitupdance.co.uk/) – Step It Up Dance is an award-winning urban dance company based in Edinburgh, teaching a wide range of styles including Breakdance, Hip Hop and Acro Dance to tots to teens. Their team of qualified dance teachers will deliver an en-masse warm up for runners ahead of their fun runs.

Cheerleading demonstrations

Holy Rood Cheerleaders – The team from Holy Rood RC High School will be demonstrating their skills and delivering cheerleading routines during the age group runs to motivate runners on towards the finish line.

Athletics taster session

Athletics – A volunteer junior coach involved in the Year of Young People 2018 programme will deliver athletics taster sessions during the event.

About Year of Young People 2018

A global first, YoYP 2018 is a part of the Scottish Government’s themed-year programme which focuses on celebrating Scotland’s greatest assets.
A year-long programme of events and festivals are taking place across the whole of the country for all ages to enjoy, led by EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. More information at www.visitscotland.com/yoyp2018
IRONKIDS Scotland is supported by the Year of Young People 2018 Event Fund, managed by EventScotland, part of the VisitScotland Events Directorate. EventScotland is working with the events and festivals sector to develop an exciting portfolio of Year of Young People 2018 public-facing events which provide opportunities for young people to express themselves through a wide range of activity.
Local authorities, schools, youth groups and organisations are running their own YoYP 2018 activity. Search #YOYP2018 on Twitter for the latest news.
Young people co-designed the Year. A group of young leaders, Communic18, lead on all key decision making. More than 500 Ambassadors based across every local authority are championing activity.
The Year is delivered in partnership between the Scottish Government, VisitScotland and EventScotland – part of the VisitScotland Events Directorate, Young Scot, Scottish Youth Parliament, Children in Scotland, YouthLink Scotland and Creative Scotland.
More information can be found at http://yoyp2018.scot/ , searching @YOYP2018 #YOYP2018 on Twitter or by emailing [email protected]

About IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh

The iconic IRONMAN Series of events, the world’s most challenging endurance race series, is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Beginning in 1978 as a single race, IRONMAN has grown to become a global sensation with more than 200 events across 50 countries. In 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, a middle distance triathlon, was the first IRONMAN-branded event to be staged in Scotland. 1625 athletes (80% men and 20% women) from 31 countries registered to take part and the winner crossed the finish line in 3 hours 55 minutes and 21 seconds.

IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh will be staged on Sunday 01 July 2018. It begins with a 1.2 mile swim at Preston Links before athletes head eastwards from Cockenzie on a 56 mile one loop bike course, heading inland through rolling arable farmland via Haddington, Pencaitland and onto East Saltoun. From here an out and back undulating loop incorporates the historic and beautiful estate village of Gifford, which entails the most technical part of the course on a route that hugs the hills of the Lammermuirs. After transitioning, athletes are lead around a beautiful multi-lap, 13.1 mile run within Holyrood Park before crossing the finish line.

About IRONMAN

A Wanda Sports Holdings company, IRONMAN operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock n’ Roll Marathon Series®, Iron Girl®, IRONKIDS®, International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series races, road cycling events including the UCI Velothon® Series, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, premier marathons including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, and other multisport races. IRONMAN’s events, together with all other Wanda Sports Holdings events, provide more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of the IRONMAN® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Beginning as a single race, IRONMAN has grown to become a global sensation with more than 200 events across 50 countries. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.

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