Olympic Champion Jessica Ennis-Hill has launched a major new series of eight events called the Vitality Run Series, which will include the Brighton Half Marathon.
Featuring seven of the UK’s most prestigious half marathons and one 10k event during 2014/15, the Vitality Run Series will help to reinforce the Brighton Half Marathon as one of the country’s headline running events.
Expected to feature over 100,000 runners in its inaugural year, the Series aims to encourage participation for all runners, experienced and beginners, and to create a vibrant community based around many of the nation’s best-loved running events.
In her role as Vitality Ambassador for PruHealth and PruProtect, title sponsors of the Series, Ennis-Hill revealed a four and a half metre high female runner ‘Victoria’, positioned near the Millennium Arena in Battersea Park.
Ennis-Hill, the London 2012 Olympic Heptathlon Gold Medallist, called on Briton’s to don their trainers and sign up for one of the eight Vitality Run Series events.
Speaking as spokesperson for the sponsors, Jessica, said: “I am delighted to support the Vitality Run Series by revealing this giant sculpture which will be a memorable and inspiring feature at each of the events. There are eight fantastic events taking place over the next year starting with the exciting new Run Hackney half marathon on June 22 through to the famous Reading and Liverpool half marathons next March.
“It’s exciting for Brighton Half Marathon to be one of the eight races in the Vitality Run Series. Being part of a great series of half marathons and 10ks around the UK will really raise its profile nationally and make Brighton Half one of the big races to take part in on the UK running calendar. Whether you are a beginner, charity runner or on the hunt to set a new personal best you will be offered a brilliant racing experience.
“With the summer now upon us, this is a great time for runners of all standards to head outside, start training, and enter one of our events around the UK. Being a heptathlete, running is obviously a big part of my training regime and every day life and it is something I enjoy.”
As a Vitality Ambassador for PruHealth and PruProtect, Jessica is using her passion for living a healthy lifestyle to help motivate people, whatever their starting point, to make positive changes to their health and fitness and get rewarded for it.
Mark Whitehead, CEO of Series organisers Achieve Events, added: “The Vitality Run Series is all about inspiring many more people to make the step up to successfully to complete one or more of our leading challenge running events. Our races are open to all and our motivation is to help people achieve their goals by assisting them on every step of their journey, through the preparation months all the way through to a first-class event day experience which will live long in the memory. With the support of fantastic partners like PruHealth and PruProtect with Vitality and Laureus, we aim to build a lasting community around the Series which will enable members to share their experiences and enjoy access to unique content, offers and incentives. Look out for more announcements in this regard as the Series develops during its first year.”
Paul Bond, Race Director for the Brighton Half Marathon, concluded saying: “We are delighted to join the Vitality Run Series, alongside many of the UK’s most prestigious running events. This partnership, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of our event, is incredibly exciting and we look forward to welcoming 15,000 runners to the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon on 22nd February 2015, to celebrate with us. The Vitality Brighton Half Marathon is organised by the Sussex Beacon charity. It is our biggest annual fundraising event to support our specialist HIV care centre in Brighton.”
The Vitality Run Series calendar of events include:
Run Hackney, June 22nd 2014
British 10k, July 13th 2014
Oxford Half, October 12th 2014
Brighton Half Marathon, 22nd February 2015
Bath Half, 1st March 2015
North London Half Marathon, March 2015
Reading Half Marathon, March 2015
Liverpool Half Marathon, March 2015
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is the Official Charity of the Vitality Run Series. Laureus’ target is for runners to raise funds to train 1,000 sports coaches who can change the lives of more than 100,000 young people across the UK. Laureus supports some of the hardest to reach and disadvantaged young people in communities across the UK.
The Vitality Brighton Half Marathon is organised by The Sussex Beacon, a care centre in Brighton supporting men, women and children affected by HIV that provides innovative services to meet the changing needs of people affected by HIV. There is a ten bed in-patient unit, Day Care and Health Management Services, including a women and families service.
For more information on the Vitality Run Series, CLICK HERE:
You must be logged in to post a comment.