Three-legged run is Heart Town debut

Ipswich Borough Council has joined up with the British Heart Foundation to stage the charity race - just months after Ipswich became the UK's latest Heart Town.

The role of a Heart Town is to improve people's health and raise awareness and funds for the charity's work. As part of that campaign, the Council, with the aid of BHF, will stage a race or run or ride every year.

The first Ipswich Heart Run on Saturday 14th July in Landseer Park will be a run with a difference - it will be a three-legged race and will be started by the Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Mary Blake, and her consort, John Duffy.

Entrants are asked to pay £3 per team (£1 per leg) to take part and to raise sponsorship.

Alex Mayer, the charity's Community Fundraiser for Suffolk, said: "This first run is designed for all ages and abilities and we hope families and friends will have fun taking part. I am delighted that Ipswich has signed up to be East Anglia's first Heart Town and look forward to working with the Council to promote heart health and help keep more hearts beating in Ipswich. It's great to see the Mayor of Ipswich is putting her heart and soul into preparing for our first big Heart Town fundraising event of the year - a three legged race in Landseer Park. I'm urging everyone to join her, find a partner and get training for an event that will help you keep fit, have fun and save lives. We also welcome local firms to pick teams and take part."

Photo: The Mayor and local children join Hearty for the launch