Ipswich Evening Star column - Tuesday May 5th
I'VE had a busy last week at various launches, none more so than in Ipswich on Thursday!
There was a real fitness feel, with an appearance at Crown Pools and then a special publicity launch for a new and exciting race in the town for later this summer.
In the morning, in recognition of Ipswich Crown Pools' contribution to my own career as a swimmer, I presented them with a "Schweppes Abbey Well" Blue Plaque award.
The Crown Pools effectively used to be my second home, so it was nice to be able to make this presentation.
It was one of many up-and-down the country, with Olympic and international swimmers presenting awards to the pools where they learnt to swim, or those places which had the biggest impact on their careers.
New 400m freestyle World Record holder Jo Jackson presented her Blue Plaque award to her local swimming pool at Richmond in north Yorkshire.
On a more general note, "Schweppes Abbey Well"' is encouraging more people to get active by offering free swims on Mondays at 350 participating pools around Great Britain, with valid bottle caps.
I hope that Crown Pools will be one of these, and Ipswich Borough Council are looking into the possibility.
As well as covering the cost of the swim "Schweppes Abbey Well" will be donating £1 towards projects to get "Britain Sch...wimming" on the journey to London 2012.
FROM the Pools, it was a quick dash across the road to Christchurch Mansion, to help promote the new Ipswich Half-Marathon, which is being sponsored by Larking Gowen and will be held in the town on Sunday, August 30th.
The launch was just four days after the London Marathon, so hopefully a lot of people will have got the running bug while watching the race on the TV.
The half-marathon is an exciting and ambitious event which Ipswich should be really proud of. A lot of hard work has been put into it to getting the race off the ground over the last few months and it's not just going to be a one-off event.
Larking Gowen have agreed to sponsor the race over the next four years, as Ipswich starts the big countdown for the 2012 Games in London, and it’s very own legacy.
I'm delighted that Team Ipswich are behind the organisation, together with Ipswich JAFFA running club.
The route will begin and end at Northgate Sports Centre, and will take in the town centre and Christchurch Park as well as surrounding communities, so there is a chance for the whole town to be involved.
The event will hopefully inspire not just the runners on the day but the people of Ipswich to become a part of the London 2012 Legacy through volunteering or just supporting the athletes. We will be needing about 100 marshals alone, so there's a lot of scope to help out.
TEAM Ipswich are also promoting other events over the summer, including a Golf Day at Ufford Park on July 15.
This is being held in aid of the Team Ipswich Sports Foundation.
People can enter individually or as a team.
There will also be a Team Ipswich Sports Foundation lunch, also to take place in July, which will have an Ashes cricketing theme - Ronnie Irani will be the main guest.
The lunch will be in the Town Hall, and again individuals can book, or businesses can book tables.
For details of both events, you can contact Rachael Palframan at Team Ipswich on 01473 433542 or via rachael.palframan@ipswich.gov.uk
FINALLY, it will be strange seeing Norwich City playing in League One next season!
I actually think it's a bit of a shame that there will be no big local derby next season, though I know many Ipswich Town supporters won't agree with me.
It's good for the region and the football club’s income to have these big games, but at least Colchester United will have another local derby to look forward to!
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