ON YOUR mark, get set - for the sight of hundreds of kids racing down the streets in the civic district.

They will be taking part in the Cold Storage Kids Run - the first running event for children from three to 12 years and is set to make its debut this June school holidays.

The younger children can run 800m from Connaught Drive to St Andrew's Road, while the older one can race each other over 1.4km.

'We have seen the running culture and participation here grow over the years. But we realised that there are a lot of segments of people whose needs are not catered for,' said Mr David Sim, head of business development at Enterprise Sports Group, a sports marketing company organising the run.

The group helped organise the Great Eastern Women 10km Run in 2006, and has seen participants grow from 3,600 to 8,200 last year.

There are currently no runs exclusive to children, outside those held by schools.

Organisers say they hope to promote healthy living among the children and a 'can-do' spirit.

The run, which will feature a carnival with bouncy castles, game booths and cartoon characters, is also designed to be an occasion for family bonding.

Parents of children aged three to six would need to run alongside their offspring, for safety reasons.

'They may run half the race, with mummy or daddy carrying them on the back to finish the race,' said Mr Terence Khoo, managing director of Sports Enterprise Group.

For more information, go to Kidsrun.com.

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