WITH the countdown beginning in earnest until the start of the Olympics a record number of more than 47,000 schoolchildren from more than 154 Surrey-based schools have registered for Active Surrey’s ‘Run to Rio’ scheme.

The scheme was launched by Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey and the Secretary of State for Health, at St Polycarp’s School in Farnham.

The number of Surrey-based schoolchildren taking part is staggering. Pupils, teachers and staff will collectively run or walk 5,700 miles from Surrey to Rio before the Olympics and Paralympics in August.

Active Surrey has worked with Premier Sport to offer every Surrey primary school free use of the ‘golden mile’ software which allows them to monitor their progress during the summer term.

Each child’s distance will be recorded on the ‘golden mile’ website at the end of each week so schools can track the distance it has covered and the progress that each individual child has made over the 12-week period.

The 154 schools that have already signed up to take part represent almost half of Surrey’s primary schools.

The aim behind this initiative is to get children healthier, fitter, and engaged in the forthcoming summer Olympics and Paralympics. As a result, it is predicted that children will integrate it into their daily routines from the next academic year thus improving their lives educationally, physically and mentally.

Jeremy Hunt said: “This is a wonderful initiative and something that has really struck a chord with primary school teachers and pupils judging from the amazing response.

“I actively encourage everyone to get behind the campaign – an easy and fun way to become fitter and healthier as we approach the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.”

Lily Partridge, local athlete Aldershot Farnham and District AC, Farnham and Freedom Leisure Sports Personality of the Year Award Winner 2015, said: “The programme that Active Surrey have launched is a great way to get children involved in physical activity while having fun.

“The Rio Olympics provide the perfect opportunity for them to get involved in something special. The numbers of schools involved speak for themselves.”