Leighton Linslade Schools Join Forces for 2026 Run 4 Fun

Hundreds of local youngsters dashed into action as part of the annual Leighton Linslade school games fun run at Astral Park Sports and Community Centre.

At the start line were young runners from 17 schools: St Leonards Lower, Heathwood Lower, Rushmere Park Academy, Beaudesert Lower, Clipstone Brook Lower, Linslade Lower, Mary Bassett Lower, Southcott Lower, Greenleas and Greenleas Lower, Edlesborough Primary, Eaton Bray Academy, Swallowfield Primary, Husborne Crawley Lower, Stanbridge Lower, Hockliffe Lower, Leedon Lower.

Pupils took part in four categories – key stage 1 boys and girls, and key stage 2 boys and girls – while older pupils from Vandyke and Leighton Middle School volunteered as marshals, encouraging and running alongside the youngsters and helping every child reach the finish line.

Kicking off the first race, Alex Mayer MP sounded the airhorn to launch this year’s Run 4 Fun. Proud parents roared on the town’s young athletes, with every runner receiving a medal at the finish line from the MP and Town Mayor David Bligh.

It’s all part of the Schools Games Programme run by the Leighton Linslade School Sports Partnership bringing together all local primary, secondary and special schools to boost sports opportunities for young people in Leighton Buzzard, Linslade, Woburn Sands and the surrounding areas.

Since its creation over 20 years ago, the partnership has delivered more than 95 events like the Run 4 Fun each year aimed at keeping children fit and healthy through exercise.

Keen to get for local youngsters to be active, Alex Mayer MP said:

“It is fantastic to see so many enthusiastic local youngsters taking part in this year’s Run 4 Fun. With plenty of parks and green spaces, including Astral Park, there are many places to stay active on the doorstep. That’s so important when it comes to boosting both young people’s physical and mental health.

“A big thank you to the Leighton Linslade School Sports Partnership and the young leaders at Vandyke and Leighton Middle schools for putting on such a great event for everyone to enjoy.”

Fewer than half of children in Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard constituency are as physically active as the UK’s Chief Medical Officer recommends.

Studies show physically active children are happier and more confident.