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The nation is limbering up for the return of Sport Relief this spring!  Nine weeks of sporting fun culminates with the Sport Relief Weekend from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st March. From a night of cracking TV on BBC One on Friday, right through to the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in Nottingham on Sunday, it promises to be a brilliant weekend. And, the best bit, all the money raised is spent helping poor and disadvantaged people turn their lives around – in the UK as well as the world’s poorest countries.

A whole host of celebrities from the world of sport and entertainment have already pledged their support including Jenson Button, Fearne Cotton, Denise Van Outen, Gary Lineker, Dame Kelly Holmes and Lawrence Dallaglio to name a few!

Rise to the Challenge

Sport Relief has a unique history of dedicated people doing extraordinary things to rise to the challenge, from David Walliams’ astonishing swim across the English Channel to Eddie Izzard’s mind blowing 1,100 mile run around the UK.  Sport Relief 2010 will see more top secret celebrities take up the gauntlet to do battle with their nerves and the elements to push themselves to their physical limit, all to inspire the public to rise to their own challenge – keep an eye out for further announcements!  But you don’t have to do anything too gruelling to take part yourself…

The Ultimate Challenge

From running novices to marathon pros, the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in Nottingham on Sunday 21st March caters for everyone.  Just choose from 1, 3 or 6 miles – whichever’s a challenge for you. Enter at sportrelief.com and remember to get sponsored. You could even find yourself on TV as coverage is beamed across the UK on BBC ONE’s The Mile Show on Sunday 21st March.

Treat your Feet

Make sure you’re ahead of the pack and kit yourself out in a pair of Sport Relief Socks (£2) available at Sainsbury’s from 15th February. Available in a range of sizes for adults and kids and made with Fairtrade Certified Cotton, it’s not just your feet that’ll thank you.  And don’t forget your Water bottle (£1), Wristband (£1), Phone Sock (£2) and Bouncy Balls (£1) to complete the look.

Swing Those Hips

There will be also be a special Hula Hoops Hoopathon at selected Flagship Mile Events where you can take part in an attempt to set a new World Record for the most amount of people Hula Hooping simultaneously!  Check out special packs of Hula Hoops, on shelf from January, to find out more about how they are helping to raise money for Sport Relief this year.

Step by Step Training Plan

In preparation for Sport Relief, Bannatyne’s Health Clubs has devised a special training plan to help get you in shape.  Try to complete this regime three times a week in the four weeks leading up to Sport Relief Weekend.

1.   When running or jogging ensure a heel/toe action and breathe normally, keep your back straight, chest lifted, shoulders relaxed and swing your arms from your shoulder.

2.   Wear appropriate shoes and loose breathable clothing and drink water to keep hydrated.

3.   Stretching before exercise can weaken muscles so, instead, perform mobility exercises such as walking or gentle leg swings. These will help better prepare the body for exercise.

4.   Jog slowly at the beginning of every session and take time to mobilise your body.

5.   At the end of each jog reduce the pace and ensure that you have cooled down adequately before stopping.  Always finish with a five minute stretch of your muscles.

Seriously Good Food

When you’re getting ready for your challenge or settling down for the night of Sport Relief TV, make sure you tuck into Gordon Ramsay’s Seriously Good range of sauces to keep you going.  A first for Comic Relief (the people who bring you Sport Relief) the range is available all year round. All ingredients have been selected by Gordon to ensure high quality, authentic tasting recipes and with at least 10p from the sale of every jar going to Comic Relief you can help raise funds every time you shop – Gordon will not be making a penny. There are five different sauces bursting with rich, intense flavours and delicious served with meat, fish, vegetables or pasta.

There are so many different ways to Rise to the Challenge so there’s no excuse not to be part of Sport Relief 2010.  Find out more at sportrelief.com.