RUNNING EVENTS
BRIGHTON MARATHON WEEKEND
In the right direction
Grounded Events, Human Race, Goldline Events, and BCP Council all developed their recent running events. Here, all four organisers discuss supply chain challenges, sustainability measures, and preparation
J
ane Tomlinson’s Run For All – a not-for-profit sporting events company – and Leeds City Council recently announced the creation of a marathon that will raise vital funds for motor neurone disease (MND) charities. The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will take place in Leeds City Centre on May 14, 2023, with the existing Leeds Half Marathon and a family fun run also set to take place on the same day; 7,777 people will run the marathon and raise money for the Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, as well as the MND Association. The event marks the first time the city has hosted a marathon since 2003 and will encompass a new route that starts and finishes at
Sponsored by Iventis
Headingley Stadium. The circular marathon route will take in the Leeds countryside and outer suburbs, journeying around Woodhouse Moor before travelling up through Headingley, Adel, and Bramhope, before heading out to Otley and back for the big finish. Mike Tomlinson, chief executive of Run For All, said that it was an amazing feeling to be able to launch the new marathon and that it will be great to watch 7,777 participants of all abilities, come together and cross the finish line. It’s a sentiment that resonates with Kirsty Wilde, director of operations at Human Race, which recently organised the Therme Manchester Marathon. The event welcomes some of
JUBILATION ??????????? the best runners in the world, but first-time marathon runners are just as important. “We’re proud to have the world’s best runners and firsttimers taking part in our event,” said Wilde. “We want to be the friendliest marathon. Our spectators are amazing, they are a brilliant support, and our volunteers [around 740] make the event what it is.”
SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES
The Therme Manchester Marathon took place on April 3 and welcomed 24,000 runners. It was a great success, but the event was not without its challenges. Wilde and her team had just six months to plan the
event. COVID forced Human Race to move the 2021 edition of the Therme Manchester Marathon from its usual April date to October. It meant that there was just six months to prep, and all the planning was squeezed into a short period. “We all pulled together, got stuck in and made the event happen,” Wilde added. “We had some changes. In October 2021, there was some major road regeneration works taking place so we couldn’t include the city centre within our route, but we were able to do that for 2022. Plus, we also decided to let spectators into the marathon village at Lancashire Cricket Ground and give them more access.”
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