This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Year's Day fun run
01/01/2003
Tourism Culture and Sport Minister Mike Watson will lead by example when he takes part in the New Year's Day fun run down the Royal Mile to encourage Scots to be more active.
The Minister will be joined by the Executive's Mary Allison, the National Physical Activity Co-ordinator, to promote the 'New Year - New You' event as an extension of Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations.
Themed 'Park Life', the day's events in Holyrood Park will also include activities such as aerobics, Tai Chi, salsa dancing, rock climbing, husky racing and orienteering.
The Executive helped fund the day to the tune of £20,000 from its health and sport budgets.
Mike Watson said:
"Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations attract visitors from all over the world and bring great benefits to the economy. Tourism is one of Scotland's most important industries and that's why we are continuing to invest in the quality of the Scottish tourism product.
"This is an example of how we are using imaginative new ways of marketing it to potential visitors in order to make Scotland a 'must visit' destination.
"The benefits of wider participation in sport and physical activity have been demonstrated to improve health, develop self confidence and improve quality of life.
"I hope visitors and local people alike will come along on New Year's Day to enjoy a different type of celebration where they can enjoy watching and trying different outdoor activities. They may even decide to take up one of these activities during the rest of the year!"
Mary Allison said:
"Physical inactivity is a major factor in ill health and unfortunately, most people in Scotland are just not active enough. The numbers are large and the implications are immense.
"The scale of physical inactivity in Scotland makes it the most common risk factor for coronary heart disease, more so than smoking or obesity. The evidence about the scale and consequences of inactivity is a stark warning of the need for us all to take action now.
"The good news is that physical activity does not need to be strenuous to have significant effects on people's health and general wellbeing. It can be as simple as taking a brisk walk.
"To make a difference, adults should accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week and children at least one hour of moderate activity on most days of the week.
"Taking part in these fun activities highlights the fact that physical activity can be non-strenuous and enjoyed by all the family."
Evidence shows that 72% of women, 59% of men, 40% of girls and 27% of boys are not active enough. (Scottish Health Survey 1998)