Get involved in the Paralympics with Parallel London

Just because the summer holidays are coming to a close, it doesn’t mean your plans have to, too! Days before the heroes of the Paralympics compete in Rio, Get involved in the Paralympics with Parallel London bringing you the world’s first fully inclusive fun push/run taking place on the 4 September at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. If that wasn’t enough, Parallel London are also hosting a free festival fit for the family that will run alongside the push/run challenges!

Get ready to walk, run, and wheel your way to victory while celebrating inclusivity and helping to change public perceptions around diversity for the better. With distances ranging from 100m, 1km, 5Km and 10km, there’s definitely something for everyone, including a landmark Super Sensory 1km. Whether you’re an eager expert or simply a beginner to races, Parallel London’s push/run challenges encourage all ages and abilities to unite to run, walk, wheel, push or be pushed at the iconic Olympic Park – it’s totally up to you! What’s more is that there are no cut-off times or equipment restrictions and anyone who needs a helping hand can bring a buddy free of charge – the more the merrier! Furthermore, the new Super Sensory 1km offers participants multi-sensory experiences along its challenging yet exciting course to shine a light on accessibility in everyday life.

A free family festival will also be held for the thousands of participants and spectators expected on the day and will feature a multitude of attractions, entertainment and workshops across six different zones. Expect a whole lot of festival fun that will encompass the worlds of food and drink, technology, culture, community, family, active lifestyle and more! Leading brands including Barclays, Dairy Crest, Blatchford, Innovision and Livability are only a few to name that will be sponsoring the lively celebration.

Backing the event is the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who commented: ‘As Mayor for all Londoners, I will do all I can to make our city the most accessible and inclusive place in the world. I want everyone to be able to make the most of everything the capital has to offer – in work, travel, leisure and sport. I’m delighted to see Parallel London bringing people of all ages and abilities together at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for its fun run and festival, breaking barriers and showcasing the capital’s wonderful diversity.’

London Parallel seek to encourage more active lifestyles and help to create significant new and incremental fundraising opportunities for charities. One of London Parallel’s ambassadors and Channel 4 presenter, Sophia Warner, suffers from cerebral palsy and is a Paralympian track and field athlete who competed in the London 2012 Paralympics. As Parallel London’s Partnerships Director, Sophie and other ambassadors will also be taking part in the most anticipated event of the summer. Check out their inspiring stories online here!

Sounds exciting, right? To join this national celebration of diversity in the build-up to the Rio Paralympics head to parallellondon.com and follow the movement on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.