Media
Bristol’s 10k - A New Year's resolution
January 2009
Bristol’s 10k
A New Year’s resolution worth making – and keeping
Anyone thinking of getting fitter as a New Year’s resolution should think about signing up for Bristol’s 10k race.
Entries for Bristol’s 10k run are open and the 10k offers entrants the chance to follow a web-based planned training programme.
The training programme gives top tips on distance running and has been designed to help runners gradually build up strength and stamina in preparation for the big race day – on Sunday, May 10, 2009. And in March 2009, there will be a special free evening workshop to help runners maximise their running potential.
In addition to getting fitter and leading a healthier life style, Bristol’s 10k also encourages runners to raise funds for the two official charities, St Peter’s Hospice and international children’s charity, Coco. Every runner taking part has the chance to support these two important charities through sponsorship or even getting family, friends and colleagues to volunteer as marshals on the day.
John Flanagan, Community Fundraising Manager for St Peter’s Hospice, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as the local charity to benefit from the Bristol 10k next year. This is a great race for people who are thinking about taking up running and want to raise money at the same time but don’t think they can quite manage the Half Marathon. If you don’t fancy running but still want to help your local hospice we are also looking for 150 marshals to help man the route. The money raised through the Bristol 10k will allow us to continue our vital work in the community.“
Local businesses and companies can show how fit their staff are by entering teams in the 10k business challenge, sponsored by leading law firm, Clarke Willmott. The 2009 Clarke Willmott business challenge aims to get over 100 businesses – of all shapes and sizes – involved in the challenge.
Steve Clarke, Partner, Clarke Willmott said: “We’re really excited about getting local organisations together to show what a motivated, responsible and flourishing business community we have here in Bristol. It’ll be interesting to see who’s got the sporting edge in the Business Challenge!”
Councillor Rosalie Walker, Bristol’s cabinet member for culture and healthy communities, said: “Making the Bristol 10k as your New Year’s resolution is an excellent way to start the year. Regular running is a good way to exercise and stay fit and healthy. And now is the time to submit your entry and get the 10k date in the diary.”
Anyone thinking of taking part in the Bristol 10k should log onto www.bristolhalfmarathon.com
· The Bristol 10k race takes place on Sunday, May 10, 2009, starting and finishing at Anchor Road. The flat, route follows the A4, along the historic floating harbour and River Avon.
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Notes to Editors:
St Peter’s Hospice has been selected as the nominated local charity to benefit from the Bristol 10k on Sunday 10, May 2009. Bristol’s only adult hospice is urging local runners and volunteers (who would be willing to act as marshals) to register their interest for the event. St Peter’s Hospice is Bristol’s hospice and every year provides specialised palliative care to over 1,700 patients and support to 5,000 family members and children. All of its patient services are free. St Peter’s provides a range of patient services at its two Hospices at Brentry and Knowle, and also delivers care and support in local homes through its Community Nurse Specialist teams and Hospice at Home service. The cost of providing this unique and specialised service to the people of Bristol is £5.3 million per year.
For further information please contact Anna Cairns on bristol10k@stpetershospice.com or call 0117 915 9328.
Clarke Willmott
Clarke Willmott is a national law firm committed to delivering high quality legal services to national clients. Our values are to think as a client; to look for opportunities – for clients, for the people we work with and for the firm, and to live quality. The firm has a total of around 630 staff and partners based at offices in Birmingham, Bristol, London, Southampton and Taunton. We are a full service firm specialising in commercial property, corporate, dispute resolution, employment, finance, insolvency, investment management, and private client services. We have particular expertise in the following sectors: agriculture, private capital, real estate and construction, renewable energy, retail, leisure and sport.
Bristol’s 10K
The first city council-organised 10k race in 2008 proved hugely popular, with over 5,000 runners taking part. It is anticipated that 2009 will attract even more runners – with the potential for up to 15,000 runners.
Bristol selected for World Trials
December 2008
The management board of Run Britain is pleased to announce that the Bristol Half Marathon has been chosen as the location for the UKA Trials for the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 2009.
The global event, which takes on the added significance in 2009 as Birmingham is the host city will take place on October 11th, five weeks after the trials take place in Bristol on September 6th.
The Bristol Half Marathon was chosen for a number of reasons, among these the suitability of the date, the fast course, the reputation for high organisational standards but most notably the leaning towards the importance of the British field and a British prize money list.
“The Bristol Half Marathon has consistently grown in significance and attractiveness in recent years and it was a “no-brainer” to award the trials of next year’s event to the city” said Geoff Wightman, the chairman of Run Britain, the recently established road running arm of UK Athletics.
“When we host any major championship it is our aim to field the strongest possible team and we are confident that the Bristol Half will attract the cream of the country’s talent, hopefully leading to our best ever showing in Birmingham” he added.
Councillor Rosalie Walker, Cabinet member for Culture and Healthy Communities at Bristol City Council who organise the event was delighted to win the tough bidding contest to host the trials.
“We have targeted hosting the trials before the World Half Marathon in Birmingham for some time and are thrilled and relieved to have been awarded the event. The challenge for us as an organising committee is to attract the “Best of British” to the event in September and to make the Bristol half Marathon the best for a long time”
The selection criteria for the Norwich Union Great Britain and Northern Ireland team will be announced in due course.
Notes to editor:
Further information about the race can be found on the Bristol half marathon website www.bristolhalfmarathon.com
-The Run Britain mission statement is: ‘To make British Road Running the best in the world in terms of organisation, development and performance.’
-Run Britain has evolved from the Road Running Leadership Group (RRLG) set up and funded by UK Athletics to improve the standard and participation of road running in the UK on behalf of UKA. Comprising both elected and co-opted members this group represents the interests of event organisers across the whole spectrum from small club events to major charity fund-raisers.
- The Run Britain website www.runbritain.com will be launched in January.
-The members of the Run Britain Management Board are:
Geoff Wightman (Celtic Nations) – Chair
Mike Summers (England Athletics)
Ian Stewart (UK Athletics)
John Temperton (Athletics Services)
Andrew Taylor (Large races – elected)
Nigel Jones (Mid-size races – elected)
Hilary Walker (Clubs – elected)
Co-opted:
Dave Bedford
Max Coleby
Hugh Brasher
Bill Reynolds
Business Manager:
Pierce O’Callaghan
Media call 18 November
Launch of 2009 Bristol 10k
Event
It’s time to get out your running shoes.
Entry places for Bristol’s second 10k race are now open and local people are being encouraged to sign up now and get a head start on training and improving general fitness levels.
To help the city council launch the 2009 running event, official race charity, St Peter’s Hospice and business challenge sponsors, Clarke Willmott will join together with the Lord Mayor, Cllr Christopher Davies and cabinet member, Cllr Rosalie Walker to have a go at some early, gentle training on the running machines at the University of Bristol’s Sports Medicine Clinic, Tyndall Avenue, Clifton.
The aim of the launch is to get people and businesses signed up early so they can follow the on-line training programme. The launch will also see a drive to get would-be-runners to sign up and support St Peter’s Hospice – which is one of the two official race charities.
The 2009 Bristol 10k race will take place on Sunday, May 10. Race organisers are hoping to attract even more runners than last year, which saw over 5,000 runners registered.
Full details of the Bristol 10k can be found at www.bristolhalfmarathon.com
Who
Councillor Rosalie Walker, cabinet member for culture and healthy communities, Councillor Christopher Davies, Bristol’s Lord Mayor, John Flanagan from St Peter’s Hospice, Steve Clarke, partner at law firm Clarke Willmott and Colleen Bevan, head of sports at Bristol City Council.
Where
University of Bristol’s Sports Medicine Clinic, (inside the sports centre) Tyndall Avenue, Clifton. The University of Bristol’s Sports Medicine Clinic is an official partner of the Bristol 10k and the Bristol half marathon. The clinic provides valuable advice to runners on fitness and sports injury, this information can be found on the Bristol half marathon website.
When
Tuesday, November 18 at 8.30am
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
You are invited to send a photographer/reporter/camera crew to this event.
Please note the two official race charities for the 2009 Bristol 10k race are local charity, St Peter’s Hospice and international, children’s charity, COCO.
Leading law firm, Clarke Willmott are hoping to attract over a hundred local businesses to their business challenge initiative. Local businesses can enter a team or teams – with prizes for those that come in with winning times and a prize for the business team that raises the most money for charity.
The University of Bristol Sports Medicine Clinic
Provides treatment and advice for those with sports injuries. Our highly skilled physios, osteopath and sports massage therapists are specialists in running related injuries, running video analysis and exercise rehabilitation. We get clients back to their sports as quickly as possible and help prevent injury recurrence.
Helen Hewitt
Media & PR Officer
Corporate Communications
Bristol City Council
November 11, 2008
Call to national charities to become an official charity to the 2009 and 2010 Bristol Half Marathon
National charities, with a strong Bristol presence are invited to apply to become one of three official race charities for the Bristol Half Marathon.
At anyone time, the Bristol Half Marathon has three official charities: a local charity; a national charity and a charity with international standing. At present, St Peter’s Hospice and children’s charity COCO are two of the three official charities.
Now there is the opportunity to find a third, national charity to complete the partnership for 2009 and 2010.
Submissions must be received by 3pm, Friday 28 November 2008, with two-year agreements being offered to maximise the fundraising opportunities for the charity.
Interviews for short-listed charities will be held in Bristol during December 2008.
Applications will be considered from any national charity, including those who have worked with the council at any time in the past.
The charity’s cause should be one with a sufficient local presence, which can demonstrate the capacity to effectively engage with, and support the Bristol Half Marathon.
Full details of how to apply can be found at www.bristolhalfmarathon.com
Completed, written applications and supporting information should be posted to:
Bristol Half Marathon,
Sport Services, Bristol City Council
Colston 33,
Colston Avenue, BRISTOL BS1 4UA
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