THREE years from today the nation will celebrating the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Organisers of the Medway Mile, which starts in Rochester at 7.30pm tonight, are hoping that the wet start to the day will clear as up to 1,000 runners stride through the streets.
Hundreds have already registered to take part in the third annual one-mile fun run on Monday evening at the exact time the opening ceremony in London will begin in 2012.
The free event takes place in Rochester city centre, starting in the shadow of Rochester Castle and finishing in the glorious surroundings of the castle gardens.
The mile, organised by Medway Council and supported by NHS Medway and the Medway Messenger, aims to encourage people of any age and ability to run or walk the mile as part of a commitment to get active.
Inspired
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway council’s portfolio holder for community services, said: “This is chance for the whole community to be part of Medway’s 2012 campaign, share in the excitement and be inspired by the annual countdown to 2012.
“Rochester will provide a stunning setting for this year’s mile, so I hope hundreds of people will once again join us for this fantastic event.”
The build-up begins at 4pm when the castle gardens will be hosting free have-a-go sports activities including tennis, touch rugby, cricket, martial arts and rowing, as well as craft workshops, face painting, inflatables and more.
Some of the county’s best middle-distance runners will compete in an elite race at 7pm before the massed group of runners and walkers takes centre stage at 7.30pm.
The online registration is closed, but you can sign up on the day at the registration tent.
Every participant receives a free souvenir T-shirt.