Hundreds of people put on their running shoes this morning to join in the Sport Relief mile in Bath's Royal Victoria Park.

More than 500 people gathered to run or walk the sponsored event to help raise money for the charity.

The race, which was one of a series taking place across the country this morning, was organised by Bath and North East Somerset Council and saw people running one, three or six miles around a circular route in the park.

Lynda Deane, the council's Active Lifestyles Manager, said: “B&NES are committed to getting people more active, particularly families.

“And we see this mass participation event as an opportunity to do that and at the same time raise awareness for Sport Relief and good causes.

“They could do it as a whole family and it is just a mile, anyone can do it.

“It is about getting them out and getting them active. It’s fun and the kids enjoy doing something with their parents and grandparents.

“We’re showing that activity can be fun and doesn’t have to be torturous.”

Simon Pope, 34, who went to school in Bath, came from Gloucestershire to take part in the run with his six-year-old son Monty who has raised £100.

Mr Pope said: “It is all for a very good cause and I thought it would be inspiring for Monty as it is his first ever sponsored run.

“It’s a nice sunny day for it and that definitely makes a big difference.”

Hilary Nugara, 42, from Corsham, who is a member of the Corsham one-mile running club said she thought it would be a good thing to do as a family.

She ran one mile with her husband Tony, ine-year-old daughter Sasha and 12-year-old son Laurence.

She said: “We run with the Corsham running club, which is a club for families, so we thought we should do it.

“It’s good to get the children involved. It was hard work up the hills but we all really enjoyed it.”

Her daughter added: “It was really good fun and I like the fact that it is for Sport Relief.” Today’s events in the park follow a record-breaking live TV show on Friday night, which saw viewers phoning in and raising more than £29 million for the charity.

That beat the 2008 figure of £19.6 million on the night figure as well as the £28.5 million campaign total for the last event.

The money raised will be spent helping poor and vulnerable people in Britain and around the world.

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