This weekend gives children the chance to go on the run

A programme of free live entertainment is on its way to three east of Scotland events this weekend.

Organisers of Ironkids Scotland, a series of three fun and family-friendly running events for young people aged 3 to 14 of all abilities, will feature have a go activities and sports taster sessions at each venue to kick start the summer holidays.

A programme of free live entertainment is on its way to three east of Scotland events this weekend.

Organisers of Ironkids Scotland, a series of three fun and family-friendly running events for young people aged 3 to 14 of all abilities, will feature have a go activities and sports taster sessions at each venue to kick start the summer holidays.

Ironkids Scotland is being staged at Dalkeith Country Park on Friday 29 June 2018 (pm), Preston Links, Prestonpans, on Saturday 30 June 2018 (am) and Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, on Saturday 30 June 2018 (pm).

With support from the Year of Young People 2018, teams of young volunteers, aged between eight and 26, from the local communities have been working together to develop supplementary activity programmes at each venue location that will not only entertain young runners but will also inspire children and their families to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through dance, sport and outdoor activities.

Catriona Morrison, project coordinator for Ironkids Scotland, said: ‘Teams of young people from each of the three local authority areas have been working together to design and source the activities and entertainments that will be on offer at each of the three Ironkids events. They have also been working on key areas like the graphic design of marketing materials and will be commentating at all three venues.

‘The packed schedule at each venue is a testament to lots of planning and hard work from out young volunteers and we are looking forward to a busy but action packed weekend.’

Ironkids Scotland is coming to three Scottish venues this weekend

The three bespoke programmes will include a range of active pursuits like mountain bike skills and making your own smoothie on a bike (My Adventure and Fundamental Foods); sports taster sessions from Highland Games (EnjoyLeisure Sports Development), open water swimming and judo (Randori Judo) to athletics and hockey; and giant games, bouncy castle and crazy golf.

The young runners and their families will also be entertained before their energetic activities with live music from local young bands (The Red School Youth Centre’s music project – East Lothian) and singer Songwriter (Zoee – Australia); or with Highland, Street, Hip Hop and Contemporary dance displays from local dance crews (Upbeat Dance & Wren Dance Studio – Midlothian).

Ahead of the age group runs local dance groups, including Southside School of Dance (Midlothian) and Step It Up Dance (Edinburgh), will get the adrenaline pumping with mass warm up sessions, motivating the young runners before they kick off their runs of between 500m and 2km. The Holy Rood Cheerleaders (from Holy Rood RC High School )will also be on hand at Holyrood Park to demonstrate their skills and push on the runners towards the finish line.

The activity programme at Preston Links, Prestonpans, will even be offering Open Water swimming taster sessions in the Firth of Forth from Linda Mclean Coaching with instruction by fully qualified coaches and full safety cover provided.

Muckmedden Events are bringing their mountain bike skills track to all three venues with a range of different trail features including ramps, see saws and skinnies to try. A selection of bike and helmets will be available to use for their sessions.

There will be a variety of other sports and dance taster and come and try sessions at all the venues; everything from football skills (Dalkeith Thistle Community Football Club and Spartans Community Football Academy) to athletics, Highland Games, rugby and hip hop dance.

Children aged three and over can take part in Ironkids Scotland

The Ironkids Scotland events are an exciting addition to the Ironkids 70.3 Edinburgh triathlon race weekend that is being staged in Edinburgh and across East Lothian and Midlothian on Sunday 1 July 2018. They are also a key part of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018 celebrations.

The activities and entertainment will be offered at each venue from the start of onsite registration until the start of the first age group runs. Everyone is invited to arrive early so that they can get fully involved and make the best of what is on offer.

Event venues, dates and timings:

· Ironkids Scotland – Midlothian, at Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith, on Friday 29 June. Race registration on the day from 2-3pm. Event entertainment and activities from 2-4pm. Age group runs from 4-5.05pm.

· Ironkids Scotland – East Lothian, at Preston Links, High Street, Prestonpans, East Lothian, on Saturday 30 June. Race registration on the day 9-10am. Event entertainment and activities from 9-11am. Age group runs from 11am–12.05pm.

· Ironkids Scotland – Edinburgh at Holyrood Park, 1 Queen’s Drive, Edinburgh, on Saturday 30 June 2018. Race registration on the day from 9am-2pm, event entertainment and activities from 1-3pm. Age group runs from 3-4.05pm.

For more information on Ironkids Scotland, click HERE or search Ironkids Scotland.

Entries will be available on the day at each venue during registration – £5 – cash /credit/debit card (including a small booking fee). Entry includes an Ironkids t-shirt to run in in and a finishers’ medal.