Asha Philip and Rabah Yousif joined local pupils for the official opening of The London Marathon Community Track at the London Stadium today (October 18).
London’s new track has been funded by a £3.45 million grant from The London Marathon Charitable Trust and is the final part of £6.9 million legacy grants following the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
The opening was marked by pupils from the newly opened Bobby Moore Academy testing out what will become their school sports facility alongside World Championships medallists Asha Philip and Rabah Yousif.
Newham & Essex Beagles Athletic Club, one of the leading athletics clubs in Britain, which has produced athletes that include Daley Thompson, Mo Farah, Asha Philip, Rabah Yousif and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, will also be based at the new Community Track.
“I warmed up here ahead of winning my silver medal and it’s great it is now being opened up for kids and my fellow Newham & Essex Beagles to use,” said Asha Philip. “Having such an amazing new facility next to the Stadium that hosted the Olympics, Paralympics and World Championships is really exciting.”
Tony Shiret, Chair Newham & Essex Beagles, added: “We have a proud history in athletics and have seen some of the greats compete for our club including Sir Mo Farah, Daley Thompson and now Asha Philip and Rabah Yousif. This fabulous new facility will help us bring on the next World and Olympic champions and to serve the families of Newham, as we have done for the last 30 years.”
The London Marathon Community Track also features a 200-seat stand.
The London Marathon Community Track was used as a warm up facility at the recent 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships and will be managed by the London Stadium. It is available for community use throughout the year with designated sessions for schools and community groups as well as pay and run sessions for local residents. The Community Track will also have a new clubhouse area and gym.