Energetic youngsters from primary schools in Whixall and Prees will be pulling on their running shoes for a weekend of celebration in June.

The Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon will give children the opportunity to experience their own 13.1-mile event when it comes to an exciting conclusion at ahead of the main race on Saturday, June 16.

Youngsters will be able to complete the first 12 miles at school, with the final 1.1 miles run at the Shropshire County Showground in Shrewsbury.

It has been organised by UK Run Events, the team behind the Shrewsbury Half Marathon, and they hope more local schools will get involved.

Race director Joe Williams commented: “We are delighted to launch the 2018 Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon in association with Shrewsbury Half Marathon.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for local children to get active and enjoy the experience of taking part in a big running event while earning their very own half marathon medal.

"Our aim is to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle from a young age and to instil a positive attitude towards exercise through fun, inclusive non timed events.

"Many young runners will have grown-ups taking part in the Shrewsbury Half Marathon the following day, making it a weekend of sporting celebration for the whole family.

"Entry to both events are now open and we look forward to welcoming runners of all ages over the course of the weekend.”

As part of the final 1.1-mile event youngsters will get the full race experience including race bibs, a marshalled route, music and a start and finish line gantry, allowing them to enjoy the thrill of a big sporting event and to be cheered on by friends and family.

They will also receive a half marathon medal and T-shirt, exactly like the adults completing the Shrewsbury Half Marathon on Sunday, June 17.

The event was first trialled last year when 75 pupils from Belvidere Primary and Harlescott Juniors in Shrewsbury took part.

The cost to each school is £12 per child and schools have the additional option, at a charge, of requesting a running coach to spend a day at the school to share example running drills and coaching sessions with the children.

As part of the event children will be provided with a dedicated achievement chart so they can look forward to logging each mile they complete, and each school has a tracker chart for the class room to log the miles.

A total of 1,500 places are available and it is open to all children aged four to 11 years.

For more information email shrewsburyhalf@ukrunevents.co.uk