This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Year's Day fun run
01/01/2003
Tourism Culture and Sport Minister Mike Watson will lead
by example when he takes part in the New Year's Day fun run
down the Royal Mile to encourage Scots to be more
active.
The Minister will be joined by the Executive's Mary
Allison, the National Physical Activity Co-ordinator, to
promote the 'New Year - New You' event as an extension of
Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations.
Themed 'Park Life', the day's events in Holyrood Park
will also include activities such as aerobics, Tai Chi,
salsa dancing, rock climbing, husky racing and
orienteering.
The Executive helped fund the day to the tune of £20,000
from its health and sport budgets.
Mike Watson said:
"Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations attract visitors from
all over the world and bring great benefits to the
economy. Tourism is one of Scotland's most important
industries and that's why we are continuing to invest in
the quality of the Scottish tourism product.
"This is an example of how we are using imaginative new
ways of marketing it to potential visitors in order to make
Scotland a 'must visit' destination.
"The benefits of wider participation in sport and
physical activity have been demonstrated to improve health,
develop self confidence and improve quality of life.
"I hope visitors and local people alike will come along
on New Year's Day to enjoy a different type of celebration
where they can enjoy watching and trying different outdoor
activities. They may even decide to take up one of these
activities during the rest of the year!"
Mary Allison said:
"Physical inactivity is a major factor in ill health
and unfortunately, most people in Scotland are just not
active enough. The numbers are large and the implications
are immense.
"The scale of physical inactivity in Scotland makes it
the most common risk factor for coronary heart disease,
more so than smoking or obesity. The evidence about the
scale and consequences of inactivity is a stark warning of
the need for us all to take action now.
"The good news is that physical activity does not need
to be strenuous to have significant effects on people's
health and general wellbeing. It can be as simple as
taking a brisk walk.
"To make a difference, adults should accumulate at least
30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week
and children at least one hour of moderate activity on most
days of the week.
"Taking part in these fun activities highlights the fact
that physical activity can be non-strenuous and enjoyed by
all the family."
Evidence shows that 72% of women, 59% of men, 40% of
girls and 27% of boys are not active enough. (Scottish
Health Survey 1998)