Around 500 families from all around Shanghai streamed through Wellington’s gates last Sunday morning for the Nike one mile parent and child run, hosted by Wellington College to make use of its world class facilities. It was a gorgeous day the event, with many families gathering on the sports track, and throughout the College's extensive grounds.

All the participants engaged in a warm up session with Nike specialists to limber up. Before the race was underway the guest of honour made an appearance; Chinese world champion and Olympic hurdler Liu Xiang took to the stage and gave a short speech about the importance of perseverance in sports.

The runners took their places at the Nike arch start line and Liu Xiang started the race. The course consisted of one lap of the track which then progressed onto the river pathway next the College and then came back onto school grounds for a lap around the College to finish at the end of a 100m straight on the sports track.

Wellington families did particularly well, with Alex, Ben, Cameron, Louis, Agnes and Coco first across the finish line for the 10-12 year old category.

The top 90 families in this age group will advance to the next stage of Nike’s programme, and will run 5km at the prestigious Shanghai Marathon.

Sunday’s events demonstrated the prominence of sports at Wellington, as an integral Aptitude in the College’s holistic approach to education.