Marathon boost for Yorkshire
KEEN runners from the business community are being encouraged to sign up for the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon, a new race for the regional running calendar.
Thousands of runners are set to take part in the 26.2 mile event, which begins from the centre of York and is taking place on October 20.
The marathon – said to be one of the flattest in the UK – is being staged by a new organisation under the umbrella of Jane Tomlinson’s For All Events – which already runs the successful Leeds, York, Hull and Pennine-Lancashire 10Km runs and the Leeds half marathon.
The news comes a day after it was announced that TheBusinessDesk.com is the official media partner of the Clarion Leeds 10k Corporate Challenge, part of the Run For All series which includes the new marathon.
Sheffield-based phone and broadband provider, Plusnet, will be the headline sponsors of the event, which is being launched today.
For All Events – which comprises Run For All, Walk For All and Swim For All – was established by the Tomlinson family as a legacy to the late Yorkshire fundraiser and campaigner Jane Tomlinson CBE who raised almost £2m for charity by tackling a series of incredible endurance challenges, despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
As well as raising funds for charity, the marathon is expected to generate significant amounts for the Yorkshire economy.
TV football pundit Chris Kamara is one of the famous Yorkshire faces backing the event. He said: “I know Jane Tomlinson was a massive inspiration to me and I’m sure she was to many, many other people.
“I hope thousands of people pull on their running shoes to take part in this, the first Yorkshire Marathon. Good luck everyone, I know it will be a huge success and bring in lots of money for deserving causes.”
For All Events’ Mike Tomlinson said The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon would become a major highlight of the UK’s sporting calendar and a flagship event for the organisation. It is expected to raise up to £500,000 for charities in its first year.
Mr Tomlinson added: “We’re really excited about the new Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon. We launched the Leeds 10K seven years ago now and we’ve been thinking for a long time about putting on a long distance event in Yorkshire – and this is it!”
