Stafford half marathon celebrating 25 years

 

Runners from Staffordshire and beyond are being invited to join in silver anniversary celebrations as the annual Stafford Half Marathon celebrates 25 years.

 

To mark the occasion and meet the ever-increasing demand for places, promoters Stafford Borough Council’s Leisure Services, are increasing the race capacity from 1,500 to 2,000 runners for the event on Sunday 15 March 2009.

 

Entry forms are available from various locations including the Civic Offices, Stafford Leisure Centre, Westbridge Park Fitness Centre, Alleyne’s Sports Centre and Stafford Tourist Information Centre as well as online at   www.staffordbc.gov.uk/halfmarathon.  The closing date for entries is Friday 27 February 2009 or earlier once race capacity has been reached (online payments available until Friday 20 February 2009).

 

Councillor Mike Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure, who competed in the first race, which took place on 8 April 1984, commented, "It’s great to see the Stafford Half Marathon celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009 and go from strength to strength. Athletes from all over the country come to compete in what is one of Stafford’s premier annual sporting events, with many using the road race as a final warm up for the London Marathon. Once again, it’s a key event in the North Staffs Road Runners Association event calendar."

 

 

The Half Marathon starts in Stafford’s town centre at 10.30am and for 2009 there will be a revised route, with removal of the town centre loop to open up the start area for the increased participants and respond to previous participant feedback – details to be finalised in the next couple of months. The route will then head off into Stafford’s surrounding countryside on traffic-controlled roads, incorporating two steady climbs before returning to the town centre via Victoria Park.

 

Crowds line the route to cheer on the diverse field of athletes and help them enjoy the thrill of the race and for 2009 we will be encouraging local community groups, bands, school children and anyone else to get involved and offer support to the runners along the course.

 

All Half Marathon participants will receive medals or t-shirts and other prizes are awarded for open and vet categories.

 

Also on Sunday 15 March as part of the Half Marathon event day programme young 12 – 16 year old athletes will compete in the Stafford Junior Mile from 10.00am, Handcyclists will take to the Half Marathon route from 10.20am, and at 10.40am the School and Family Fun Run will fill the town centre with fun and fancy dress. For more information or to register for any of the events in the Stafford Half Marathon programme visit www.staffordbc.gov.uk/leisure

 

For more details, please contact:

Hannah Clifford
Marketing Projects Officer                                                                 
Stafford Borough Council

Tel: 01785 619590
Email: hclifford@staffordbc.gov.uk