5th January 2011
Liz Yelling, Olympic Marathon runner and Commonwealth Games medallist will officially open the outdoor gym ‘adiZone’ at Eastoke Corner, Hayling Island, on Friday 21st, January 2011 at 1pm.
Havant Borough Council worked hard to secure funding from a number of sources to ensure Havant Borough had its very own taste of London 2012, with a giant multi-sport outdoor gym – adizone – which opened in August 2010.
The adiZone, designed and developed by adidas, Official Sportswear Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is a permanent installation measuring 625sq metres and boasts sporting facilities inspired by Olympic and Paralympic sports.
adidas are working with Havant Borough Council to plan the official opening event for the outdoor gym. Pupils from local schools and college students will be demonstrating the versatility of the gym at the event.
The structure includes a basketball, football and tennis area, a climbing wall, an outdoor gym and an open area to encourage dance, aerobics and gymnastics.
Free to use, and open 365 days a year, the adiZone in Eastoke Corner, Hayling Island has been in use since the end of August this year.
Councillor Lenaghan, portfolio holder for culture and community said, “Since the gym was completed summer 2010 the feedback has been great. With the start of 2011 and New Years resolutions ‘New Year New You’ it’s a great opportunity to remind people that the facility is open 365 days a year so there is no excuse.
“The completion of this project was a result of months of hard work behind the scenes by officers at the council securing the funding necessary to make it happen. I hope that residents who take advantage of the facility will enjoy and benefit from it.”
Liz Yelling is a two time Olympic Marathon runner and Commonwealth Games medallist. She was the first British finisher at the Athens Olympic Marathon and lead the Beijing Olympic Marathon for the first 10miles before being tripped, falling and breaking a rib. Showing true courage Liz still ran 2hrs 33 mins to finish the race. Liz was the top European finisher in the 2008 World Cross Country Championships and has won the National cross country championships 4 times.
Follow this link to see some of Liz's achievements>>