The Ealing Mini Mile has been launched and is now taking entries.

The popular event - for youngsters between six and 16 - was introduced in 2013 so that local children could get involved in the race day atmosphere and experience the crossing of the finish line of a big race on Ealing Half Marathon day.

This years mini mile takes place on Ealing Half Marathon day, Sunday September 27.

Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre and Heathrow Communities Together have been announced as sponsors for the Ealing Mini Mile.

Heathrow Community Fund is part of an independent grant-making charity set up by Heathrow’s owners to support and strengthen local communities close to the airport.

In the past two years, it has donated more than £1m through three grant programmes, funding projects which support young people, help protect the environment and support active local communities.

Event coordinator Sandra Courtney said: “We are pleased to confirm that the Ealing Mini Mile will take place again this year. We are working closely with local schools to raise awareness of the Ealing Mini Mile and we are hoping to encourage young runners of all levels and all abilities to get involved and to take part.

“As keen runners ourselves, we are passionate about promoting running as a sport that is accessible to everyone, and we want to give young people the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a big race.”

Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre director Andrew Rollings said: “The Ealing Half Marathon is a huge event in the community calendar. Sponsoring the Mini Mile element of the race was a natural choice for the shopping centre.

"Playing a key role in the community and supporting our local children and young people is important to us and we wish everybody well on their run.”

The Ealing Mini Mile sees entries from junior members of the local athletics clubs as well as offspring of the Ealing Half Marathon runners who will be in the park to cheer on their mum or dad, plus a large number of youngsters who have never taken part in a running event before.

Current Mini Mile course records are held by Charlotte Buckley from Thames Valley Harriers (00:05:43) and Joseph Barnes (00:05:18).

The entry fee for the Ealing Mini Mile is £7.50 per child which includes a medal and a t-shirt for all finishers. There will be prizes for winners of the different age categories and every runner gets their finish time.

The fourth Ealing Half Marathon takes place on September 27 and is well known for its huge community support and great atmosphere.

The race has also recently been voted Best Half Marathon at The 2015 Running Awards in association with everydayhero for the second year in a row.

Mini Mile online registration is open now and limited to 400 places, further info can be found online.

Go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com for further race details and to sign up, like the Facebook page or follow @EalingHalf on Twitter.

The Ealing Mini Mile starts at 9.15am, fifteen minutes after the half marathon, and covers a one-mile route around Ealing’s Lammas Park, where the race and charity village are located.

The age categories are six-11 and 12-16 years and a total of 400 places are available.