Legendary Olympic athlete announced as Official Starter for festive Nottingham fun run

Former Olympian and British record breaker, Derek Redmond, will be joining hundreds of Santas for this weekend’s Nottingham Santa Run in aid of Rainbows.

The athlete, who was part of the 4 x 400m team that took gold at the 1991 World Championships, will be in Nottingham to officially get the ‘Santas on the Run‘ event at Rushcliffe Park underway on Sunday 6^th December.

Redmond is probably best remembered for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, in which he tore his hamstring mid-race but picked himself up to cross the finish line. He and his father, Jim, who had made it through security onto the track to help, were cheered home by the Spanish crowd in incredible scenes that summed up the power of the human spirit. The incident was voted the 3rd greatest Olympic moment in history and even President Barack Obama referred to Derek’s perseverance as a prime example of the Olympic ideal.

Last year’s ‘Santas on the Run’ event in Nottingham raised vital funds for the hospice which cares for over 360 children and young people with life limiting and terminal illnesses, including those from Nottinghamshire.

Redmond, who will be attending the event on behalf of long term supporters of Rainbows, Champions UK Plc, said: “I’m really looking forward to coming to Nottingham to be the official starter for the Rainbows Santa Run. Rainbows does such great work for children, young people and families across the region, I’m delighted to support the event.”

He continued, “I’d encourage everyone to come and join in, it’s going to be a great day! It really doesn’t matter if you walk or run the course or the distance you cover, just bring your friends and family, pop on your Santa suit and join us – it’s all for a great cause!”

Maggie Deere, Rainbows Community Fundraiser for Nottinghamshire, said: “We are extremely excited to have Derek here on Sunday to start the race. He really is a legend in the world of sport and it will be an honour to have him here encouraging all our Santas who have given up their time to help raise vital funds for Rainbows.”

This year’s event also features a special Children’s Christmas Treasure Trail. Costing just £1 to enter, anyone taking part in the main event can bring along their children under the age of eight to take part in the Treasure Trail made up of a short course around the pond at Rushcliffe County Park starting at 10.15am.

Entry to the Santa Run is just £12.50 or £6.50 for under 16s and includes a Santa suit, free on collection. To register your interest, visit www.rainbows.co.uk/christmas

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