THE Mayor of Dudley is running down the clock on his year as the borough’s first citizen by joining school pupils on their daily miles.

Councillor Steve Waltho, whose mayoral year is set to end this evening (May 19), has visited thirteen schools and four parks over the past two days (May 17 and 18) – running a mile with each.

The runs are part of the national daily mile initiative which encourages children to get physically active during their school day by running or walking for 15 minutes every day, and so far around half of the borough’s primary schools have expressed an interest in taking part in the healthy challenge.

Well-known for his charity running antics during his time as a councillor, the mayor has this week joined youngsters from Cotwall End, Milking Bank, Kates Hill, St Mary’s C of E, Crestwood, Dingle, Brierley Hill, St Mary’s Catholic, Greenfield, St James C of E, Rufford, Tenterfields and Foxyards.

Cllr Waltho, Mayor of Dudley, said: “This is a great final challenge for me as Mayor of Dudley and as a keen runner myself I love to encourage young people to take up exercise.

“Initiatives like this that help get children and young people across the borough moving are so important for a healthy lifestyle.”

Dudley Council’s ‘Let’s Get’ Active campaign is also encouraging motivated children and their families to continue running their daily mile during the summer holidays at their local park.

For more information about Let’s Get, visit www.lets-get.com, or for more about the daily mile and how to take part, contact the Dudley Healthy Schools Programme on 01384 816264 or email anna.hill@dudley.gov.uk.

Organisations interested in setting up a daily mile to contribute to their workplace wellbeing programme can also call 01384 813848 or email julie.black@dudley.gov.uk.

Current Deputy Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Mohammed Hanif, is expected to succeed Cllr Waltho as mayor when the announcement is made this evening at the council’s AGM.