BLACKBIRD Leys teenager Peter Wright is hoping to be first across the line in Saturday’s race through the estate.

Peter, 16, will be taking part in his third Blackbird Leys Mile at the weekend.

He said: “My best time for the Mile is last year’s run when I did 5.35, and I came in sixth.

“I’m hoping to be in the top three this year, at least.”

The City Of Oxford College sports coaching student admitted he had some tough competition to beat – the sports-mad Brackett family.

Dad-of-five Jamie Brackett was last year’s winner, running alongside his father Paul as well as brothers and uncles.

Peter said: “If I’m going to win I’m going to have to beat all of them.

“I hope I can do it, I’ve been training for it really hard.

“I’ve been working for this for two months, going around the course and doing sprint training.”

This will be the third year that the race has made its way through the heart of the estate, after it was revived in 2012 following a 20-year absence.

It is organised by the Independent Working Class Association Athletics Club, which helps train youngsters on the estate in running and athletics.

Peter said: I’ve been part of the club for three years now.

“I got involved when a mate of mine was telling me about it.

“I wanted to join one to become more active than I already was.

“I love to run. It’s the fact of keeping fit and socialising with the new people in the group every week.

“It’s about having fun and taking some of the competitions seriously.”

As well as running the race, Peter has been volunteering to help organise it, and he encouraged others to sign up.

He said: “Before racing I’ll help set the race up and putting it away afterwards.

“It’s not like I’ll be doing anything else so I volunteered myself.

“We’ve got lots of people helping out, but the more the better.”

Entry to the Blackbird Leys Mile is free, and there will be medals for all participants and trophies for winners in the individual and team categories.

Registration will open at Blackbird Leys Park in Pegasus Road at 8.30am and the race will start at 10am. Those who want to help organise events on the day can arrive from 7.30am.

To guarantee a place, email stuart@bliwca.fsnet.co.uk

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