Politicians run Sport Relief Westminster mile

11th March 2010

MPs and peers put political differences to one side yesterday to participate in the Westminster Mile to raise money for Sports Relief.

David Davies (Con, Monomouth) was the first to cross the finishing line after five minutes and 29 seconds, who was greeted with cheers as crossed the line.

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said the event "brought everyone together" regardless of their political allegiances.

Despite the cold weather, approximately 40 MPs and members of the House of Lords swapped their suits for T-shirts, shorts and trainers to tackle the course in the shadows of the Houses of Parliament.

Former England rugby player Kyran Bracken joined the politicians in St James' Park to give their starting orders.

Among those participating in the afternoon's charity workout were Lord Bach, Lord Clement-Jones, Hugh Bayley (Lab, City of York) and Anne Begg (Lab, Aberdeen South).

Sutcliffe said: "It's brought everyone together, I'm grateful to parliamentary colleagues from both houses for being here to support Sport Relief.

"The Westminster Mile is really to set the ball rolling for March 21 when people across the country will be running a mile, three miles or six miles for the charity."

Tom Brake (Lib Dem, Carshalton and Wallington) who came third in the run said: "Sport Relief is a great cause and I hope this will raise the profile of events taking place up and down the country."

And Mark Francois (Con, Rayleigh) said: "I ran the course in just over seven minutes, it's not Olympic standard but good for me."

Thousands are expected to take part in activities around the country during the Sport Relief Weekend from Friday, March 19 to Sunday, March 21, with many celebrities due to help raise cash during an evening of televised entertainment on BBC One.

Other past fundraisers for the cause include Labour supporter Eddie Izzard's 43 marathons in 51 days around Britain.

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