Double-gold paralympian Hannah Cockroft helps launch the Yorkshire Marathon
It's already clinched the start of the Tour de France for 2014, now Yorkshire is grabbing itself a place on the marathon map with a new race scheduled to start in York in October 2013.
The success of the county’s athletes during London 2012 proved that roads and trails of the region help foster some first-class fitness talent. Here's your chance to join them, on a course that begins in the historic city and tracks mile upon mile of beautifully flat North Yorkshire countryside.
The first Yorkshire Marathon takes place on October 20, 2013; 2,500 of the estimated 5,000-6,000 places available have already been snatched up since the event launched yesterday.
Marathon training plan
The event is organised by Jane Tomlinson's Run for All charity. Throughout the year, Run for All successfully packs races with elite athletes (like Mo Farah and Nell McAndrew), keen runners and charity fundraisers. Jane’s name has become synonymous with running in Yorkshire. She raised £1.85 million for children’s and cancer charities through extreme fitness challenges before she died of cancer in 2007. Run For All was set up by her family after her death to continue Jane's efforts.
Keep up your running regime
Jane’s husband Mike Tomlinson says, ‘In York we have a city with amazingly spectacular scenery, but one that is also extremely flat, which should make for a really fast course. We’re always being asked about putting on a marathon so this is for all of those runners who want to push themselves to the ultimate limit. It’s not just for elite runners, though, there will be a great atmosphere around the course and lots of support, so it will be a great challenge for people who want to come and raise lots of money for charity.’
Half-marathon training plan
If, like me, you’re from Yorkshire, no doubt you’ve run - or know someone who has run – one of her popular 10k or half marathon events. The extremely well-organised events always bring in a throng of both participants and spectators, creating a lively, supportive atmosphere. The Yorkshire Marathon looks set to produce another legendary British sporting event.
Visit http://www.theyorkshiremarathon.com/about.html to find out more or register for your place.
