Tommy’s and Buggyfit have joined forces once again to offer parents, prams and babies the chance to challenge themselves in this summer’s baby race!

July 2012 – A run with a twist and far more exciting than your average stroll in the park. Tommy’s Baby Races gives families, friends and even your little ones the chance to actively help Tommy’s give more babies the best start in life.

Organized in partnership with the pre and post-natal fitness experts, Buggyfit, the Baby Races are a series of 8K events to run or power walk with your baby in the buggy.

Now in its third year, the Tommy’s Baby Races will be taking place in even more UK locations from 1st to 22nd July. Locations include London, Aylesbury, Windsor, Cheltenham, Ruislip, Bedford, Northwich and Cambridge.

Along with babies and buggies, hundreds of like-minded mums and dads – or other relatives who want to take part – can power walk or run the stunningly beautiful courses. The routes all follow paths perfect for buggies in beautiful parks and each event begins with an aerobic warm-up, led by Buggyfit’s qualified instructors. Upon crossing the finish-line, each participant will be awarded a fun-packed goodie-bag which includes goodies from sponsors – Cow & Gate, Forever Friends and Jump – as well as other leading brands. With children’s entertainers at each venue to keep little ones happy, the events are something the whole family can enjoy.

Tommy’s asks each participant to try and raise £50 sponsorship – enough to pay for one of its midwives to speak to and help up to 20 worried parents. If 200 runners were to raise this, the £10,000 raised would be enough to pay for a research assistant on one of our vital research projects.

There are prizes available for top fundraisers, including a term’s swimming lessons from Water Babies, a Mountain Buggy Terrain, and a week’s stay at Clydey Cottages from Baby Friendly Boltholes, plus first past the finish line with a buggy at each race will win a Buggysnuggle.

Jane Brewin, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, says: “The Baby Race is a wonderful and unique excuse to get the whole family out and about for a worthy cause. What is special about this event is its contribution from such a range of individuals, from tiny babies to dads and pregnant women.  We value each and every one of our supporters. It is their dedication, effort and enthusiasm that allows Tommy’s to continue to make progress in our research and continue to save thousands of babies’ lives.”

Registering for the Baby Race couldn’t be easier: just visit www.tommys.org/babyrace. Entry costs £14.50, which includes your T-shirt, goodie-bag and training plan. Once registered, participants will be directed to set up a fundraising page which can be sent on to family and friends to raise sponsorship money.

Sunday 1st  July at 09:30

Greenhithe – Bluewater

Saturday 7 July at 10:00

Aylesbury – Waddesdon Manor
Cheltenham – Pittville Park
Windsor – Virginia Water in Windsor Great Park
Ruislip – Ruislip Lido

Sunday, 8th July – 10:00

Bedford – Martson Country Park

Saturday, 14th July – 10:00

Northwich – Marbury Park

Sunday, 22nd July – 10:00

Cambridge – Milton Country Park

Those without buggy and baby, and pregnant women are also welcome to take part. Pregnant women will need to have a chat their GP or midwife, let them know the distance, whether they’re planning to run or power walk it, with or without a buggy and get their expert advice first.  

The Baby Races 2012 are sponsored by Cow & Gate, Jump and Forever Friends.