FUN runners are being asked to stretch their muscles, dig out their running shoes and raise as much money as possible for this weekend's Sport Relief miles across the area.

There are Sport Relief miles being held in Okehampton, Moretonhampstead and at Shebbear College on Sunday March 25. More information about the Moretonhampstead Mile can be found on page 9.

The major event for West Devon is the Okehampton Mile, which takes place in the grounds of Simmons Park and Okehampton College. The event has been organised for the past three years by David Hocking from Lydford, and has raised around £30,000 in that period. This year's event is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

West Devon Olympic hopeful Georgina Geikie will officially start the Okehampton Mile, and the town council and Okehampton United Charity have given the event their full support.

Okehampton Foodbank, OCRA and Fairtrade Okehampton are just some of the organisations planning to have attractions in the park. Parklands Leisure Centre is hosting an open day of sport from 10.30am to 4pm to coincide with the Sport Relief Mile, with free health checks and sporting events to take part in.

Individuals, clubs, organisations or charities who would like any information about taking part in the Okehampton Mile should call David Hocking on 07899 916959.

OCRA has also organised an Active Villages challenge for the day. Runners can choose to represent one of ten village schools from the area, and the more representatives a school gets, the more money they will receive from a pot of £600 funding to go towards sport equipment for their school.

The money has been donated for the challenge by Devon Active Villages, a countywide programme that supports rural communities to develop long-term sports opportunities. There are categories for small and big schools. For more information, call OCRA on 01837 54546.

The route will be flat and circular, and participants can register to run one, three or six miles. The runs will take place at 11am, noon, 2pm and 3pm. Registration is at 10am with the day finishing at 5pm.

Students, friends, family and staff at Shebbear College are also preparing for Sport Relief by hosting a mile of their own. Like the Okehampton Mile, participants can choose to run one, three or six miles. The Shebbear event is open to anyone, and the college will provide refreshments.

As part of the Sport Relief weekend, all students from the school will take part in a ten-kilometre fancy dress fun run through Cookworthy Woods on Friday March 23.

To register for Sport Relief in Okehampton, Moretonhampstead or at Shebbear College this year, go to the website http://www.sportrelief.com">www.sportrelief.com