Plymouth under starters orders for launch of the Blue Mile

Plymouth has been selected as host city for next summer’s inaugural BLUE MILE event where thousands of participants of all ages and abilities will complete one mile – in, on or next to – water, in an incredible ‘race for the environment’. The launch event will take place on Plymouth’s historic Mayflower Steps on Friday 24 July in a bid to engage more local support and encourage people to take part.

Children from the Mount Batten Centre will be joined on the water by Beijing windsurfing Olympic medallist Bryony Shaw, 2009 Vendée Globe yachtswoman Sam Davies and freediving world record holder Sara Campbell at the launch event.

The launch will also be attended by Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Deighton is visiting the South West to mark the start of the London 2012 Open Weekend (24 – 26 July 2009), a series of events across the country enabling access to excellence in the arts, culture and sport and celebrating three years to go until the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Deighton said: “The Open Weekend and BLUE Mile events are aimed at inspiring people to open up to try new things, and they will help to build the excitement towards the Games in 2012. The Games are expected to transform lives and communities in the South West and deliver a discernible and lasting legacy to thousands of people in the region.

The BLUE Mile concept was created by Conrad Humphreys and is being run in collaboration with Plymouth City Council and Team South West, the South West RDA-led partnership working across the region to maximise the opportunities presented by the London 2012 Games.

In summer 2010, the BLUE Mile will see swimmers, sailors, rowers and paddle-boarders take to the water in a bid to encourage young people to get actively involved with sport and the environment. Plymouth Hoe will be transformed into a BLUE village, with the creation of the city's first natural sand beach to host a series of beach games to sit alongside a BLUE village which will include impressive experiential learning and activity zones.

With plans for Sport Environment to grow the event each year, The BLUE MILE also aims to be replicated throughout cities nationally and internationally with Plymouth at the forefront of the initiative. To find out more about the BLUE MILE and how you can get involved visit www.thebluemile.org