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Team UEL put best feet forward for first Newham Classic 10K run

Monday 20 April 2009

Team UEL

Over 40 UEL students and staff celebrated crossing the finishing line with over 1000 other runners at the inaugural Newham Classic 10K run on Sunday 19 April.  Organised by Olympic gold medallist and UEL Honorary graduate Tessa Sanderson CBE, the race was the first to be held on the Olympic Park and UEL was one of the event sponsors.

The UEL runners were in high spirits as they set off from Stratford’s Theatre Square.  The team was organised and coached by final year sports science student Taiwo Sodeyi, who also works as an athletics coach for Newham’s sports development team. He said: “This has been an amazing day and I’m really pleased for everyone at UEL who persevered with the training and didn’t give up. We’ve helped raise a lot of money for charity too!”

UEL physiotherapy students provided free massages for runners after the event. Elizabeth Nicholls, Principal Lecturer in UEL's School of Health & Bioscience, said: “We had a wonderful day, and it is great to be able to support our partners in this way. We are proud to be involved in sports development, health and many other projects in the run-up to the 2012 Games.”

Jane Ithier-Aimee, third year Sports Development student, is also taking part in the marathon this year. She said: “I find it very encouraging that team UEL took part in this community event.”

Mohamed Farid, a first year Psychology student said: “It’s great that Team UEL are taking part in this race because it brings the UEL community closer together, we should do it every year. I am looking forward to the Olympics too because it’s right on our doorstep.”

German runner, Florian Neuschwander won the race with a time of 30.14, and the first woman to cross the line was Charlotte Peppiatt with a fast time of 39.33. The event was about raising participation in sport and raising money for charities such as Community Links and other local charities.

UEL’s School of Health and Bioscience based at Stratford is expanding rapidly in the run-up to 2012. It is now a leading centre for sports sciences health services management, and subjects allied to medicine, and professional development for the NHS. The School has a vibrant research culture, and a national reputation in applied health science.

Links:

University of East London: London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Office

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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