PUPILS helped athletics legend Steve Cram to launch this year’s Worcester City Runs.

The popular event returns for the fifth year in September.

The former Olympic runner and science ambassador Lawrence Hatfield of Air Products met pupils from St Barnabas CE First and Middle School, for the launch, which had a science theme in the lead up to British Science Week.

Pupils took part in a running training session and liquid nitrogen demonstrations with household items at the Stonebow Road school, in Pershore.

They were also joined by Jennifer Kelly, founder of the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, accompanied by Lily Filmer, a Year 3 pupil who recently returned to the school after treatment for leukaemia. The Trust will be the event’s official charity partner for 2019.

The school’s headteacher, Steve Booth said: “It’s been great that Steve has been able to come to the school and share his experience with the children and to help promote sport. He has been able to give the children an insight into his successes and has motivated lots of people today.”

A partnership between Worcester City Council and Events of the North, the event has its first title sponsor, with Worcester based industrial gases firm Air Products signing up to back the Worcester City Runs for three years.

The Worcester City Half Marathon, 10K and Young Athletes Run will all take place on September 15. This year, the event will be extended over two days and will include a new junior challenge.

Steve Cram said: “The children have been fantastic – they were incredibly enthusiastic. It is great to see a school encouraging the kids to be healthy, fit and active. We hope a lot of them will come and take part in the event in September.”

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