MORE than 400 children took part in a mass fun run yesterday.

Pupils from Blackhall and St Joseph's Primary Schools, Wingate Infants and the whole of South Hetton Primary School joined in the David Lloyd Great Mile Run at Dalton Park shopping centre, in Murton. They were set on their way by Great Britain 100m sprinter Susan Deacon and were joined in the race by the vice-chairman of Easington District Council, Charlie Walker, and Councillor Joe Goodwin.

Susan, a member of Edinburgh Southern Harriers, said: "It is a great way to get kids active and also to build up awareness of the Olympics in 2012.

"But the most important thing is the mass participation and it is great that so many young people came along to take part.''

The David Lloyd Great Mile Run programme is a key element of the Million Miles challenge, an initiative aiming to clock up miles of physical activity around the region in the lead-up to the world's biggest half-marathon, the BUPA Great North Run.

Brenda Peart, partnership development manager for Easington Council said: "The David Lloyd Great Mile Run is a fantastic initiative and a great way to complete the Million Miles Challenge.''

Mark Webb, head of communications for David Lloyd Leisure, said: "What makes this event so special is that a mile is an attractive and achievable distance for anyone. By staging these events around the region, we are ensuring that the event is taken to a large number of communities.''

The event will be in Sunderland's Mowbray Park today, when runs will be at noon, 2pm, 5pm and 7pm.