Thousands are good sports in the mile of fun BY KATIE BALDWIN ACTORS, singers, sports stars... This menu uses javascript This m

ACTORS, singers, sports stars, a giant mouse and even Shrek were among the thousands who ran the Sport Relief Mile in Leeds. Celebrities rubbed shoulders with more than 5,000 members of the public to 'sock it to poverty' – participants wore one red sock and were given another at the finish line.

Roundhay Park was the venue for the Leeds race, one of 15 major Sainsbury's-sponsored Sport Relief Miles across the country, and a carnival atmosphere and glorious sunshine boosted runners.

Other famous sporting faces included rugby league legends Garry Schofield and Ellery Hanley – who even managed to complete the mile with a knee injury – and ex-Leeds United star Eddie Gray.

It proved an extra-hot race for those donning wacky costumes, including Shrek, a team of toilet rolls, James O'Dell and James Keep from York who ran as a mouse and a tomato and three Napoleonic war era soldiers.

Sam and Simon Love, from Kirkstall, and Craig Armstrong from Oakwood, members of the re-enactment society of the 33rd Regiment of Foot, were dressed in full regalia and vowed to march the mile.

Ian St Rose, project manager of Leeds REACH (Reaching Education and Achievement Through Challenge), helps prevent some of the city's youngsters from being excluded from school. Sport Relief has paid for sports equipment and Thai-boxing lessons which he said made a big difference.

More than £12m has been raised across the country and donations are still being taken for Sport Relief on 08457 910910 or log on to www.sportrelief.com for more information.

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