AN Olympic athlete joined hundreds of children at a fun run that aims to get youngsters off the couch and enjoying exercise.

Around 400 pupils from 11 primary schools took part in the INEOS GO Run For Fun event at Oakleaf Sports Complex, Newton Aycliffe, on Friday, April 17.

Olympic long jumper Chris Tomlinson spurred them on with a mass warm-up to music, before sounding the horn to start the race.

He said: “Go Run For Fun is a fantastic initiative which has helped so many children across the UK and beyond, get outdoors, running for fun.

“It has been great to see just how much the children here in Newton Aycliffe have enjoyed taking part, and you never know, we might see a star athlete of the future here.”

The event was backed by Sedgefield School Sports Partnership and participants supporters included campaign mascot Dart and Mayor of Great Aycliffe Wendy Hillary.

Sarah Price, Sedgefield School Sport Partnership manager, said: “I hope the fun today has inspired the youngsters to get into running and other sports.”

The event was one of four held across the region this month, which has seen more than 2,500 primary school children running for fun.

GO Run For Fun hopes to encourage more than 100,000 kids to get more active by 2016 and to tackle childhood obesity which is above the national average for ten and 11 year olds in County Durham.