Lee Sprinkles Olympic Stardust In Aberdeen

18 JAN2012

The City of Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10K captured a little Olympic stardust in the year of London 2012 when double Olympian Lee McConnell launched the popular sporting event earlier this week. Top Scottish athlete, Lee was on hand at the Jesmond Sports Centre, Bridge of Don, to announce officially that entries are now open for this year's event on Sunday, May 20.

The 10K - organised by Sport Aberdeen - is now in its 26th year and is one of Scotland's top running events, last year's attracting over 4,000 entries. As well as the 10K, registration is also available for the 10K wheelchair race and the Banks O' Dee Family Fun Run. Entries are available online at the Sport Aberdeen website.

At the launch, track heroine Lee spoke to Primary 5 pupils from a number of Aberdeen schools about her career to date and what it's like take part in the Olympics. Lee has competed at two Olympic games and enjoyed a hugely impressive career, having represented Scotland or Great Britain at every major championship since 2001. To date, she has won a total of 9 major championship medals, including Commonwealth, European and World Championship honours.

Graham Morrison, Events & Projects Officer at Sport Aberdeen, said: "The City of Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10K is always exceptional but the run will be all the more special in 2012, with it taking place in the year that we'll see the cream of world's sporting talent visit the UK for the London Olympics.

"It is fantastic to have Lee - one of the nation's top athletes - help mark the opening of entries and with a limited number of positions available for participants, we'd encourage anyone interested in taking part to sign up soon."

Lee McConnell added: "I am thrilled to be part of the launch of the big Aberdeen 10K. As an athlete, it is brilliant to support a sporting event which attracts so many participants - of all fitness levels - year on year. It is also encouraging to see so many youngsters with an interest in sport and health, and I've no doubt they will all have a great time taking part in the fun run."

Participants can raise money for any charity or organisation, including one from the group of official race charities, which has been expanded for 2012. Runners can still choose to fundraise for CLAN, Children 1st, CHAS, Inspire, Erskine, UCAN, Alzheimer Scotland and Sue Ryder, but can now also raise money for Cash for Kids, CLIC Sargent, Aberdeen Cyrenians, Befriend a Child and MacMillan Cancer Support.