It’s time to get out the trainers in readiness for this year’s Mini London Marathon trials.

Merton Council is calling on young people who want to represent the borough to register for the trials by 28 January. They should then turn up at Wimbledon Park on Sunday 1 February at 9.30am ready to race for victory. The trial race for girls starts at 10.00am and the boys’ race at 10.30am. The best 48 runners will be selected at 11.45am to run for Team Merton on 26 April.

The Mini London Marathon is the last three miles of the London Marathon. Young people wanting to take part in the trials need to be between 11 and 17 years old inclusive on 26 April 2009. There will be three categories on the day of the Mini London Marathon: 11-12 years, 13-14 years and 15-17 years.

Merton Council is looking for three female teams and three male teams each with eight team members.

The council has sent out registration forms to all secondary schools in the borough. Forms are available in all of Merton’s libraries and leisure centres. It is also possible to register online at http://www.merton.gov.uk/eisure/sport/minimarathon

Merton Council’s cabinet member for community services, Councillor Maurice Groves said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to show off your sporting talent. Three miles is no mean feat. It’s the same as running round a football pitch eleven times, so you’ve got to be super fit. Running is such a great activity and with all the wonderful parks in Merton, it’s free to enjoy – a good thing at this time when we’re all feeling the pinch. It’s also at events like this that we can discover our athletes of the future. 2012 is only just around the corner and we want Merton athletes to go for gold for Team GB.”

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