Blair clocks 8:30 mile for Sports Relief
Tony Blair has clocked a respectable eight minutes 30 seconds whilst opening the 2004 Sports Relief charity mile programme.
Sports Relief was set up by Comic Relief and BBC Sport to raise money to tackle poverty and help the disadvantaged, both in the UK and abroad.
The first Sports Relief raised over £14 million and the organisers hope that this year’s event will be even more successful.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s record breaking four minute mile, this year participants are asked to run, walk or hop a mile for charity.
Saturday will see the bulk of events taking place, but Mr Blair hosted an event at Chequers today. The Prime Minister ran his mile along with local school children, Olympic stars Sir Steven Redgrave and Colin Jackson, and Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles.
Mr Blair is known to be keen on sports and fitness but was rushed to hospital last October after complaining of chest pains. Speaking this morning, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said that the fact he was taking part in the run showed there are no concerns about his health.
Speaking after the run, the Prime Minister told the Press Association that: “The Sport Relief mile is a superb way to get active and raise money.
“It will be great to see tens of thousands of people taking part tomorrow and I wish everyone the best of luck.
“It is a good thing to do, it is a fantastic charity.
“The good work they do in some of the poorest parts of the world and in this country is absolutely fantastic.”
