Countdown to Ealing Half Marathon 2013

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Local headteacher to start the big run on Sunday

This Sunday 29th September sees the Ealing Half Marathon return to the Borough, with over 5000 runners expected to pound the streets. The 2013 race will see a fantastic field of elite runners lining up on the start line, including a large number of representatives from the Ealing Eagles and other local running clubs as well as first time half marathon runners, PB chasers and charity runners.

The Corporate Challenge takes place alongside the main race with corporate teams including Mercedes-Benz Brentford, National Grid, Kobalt, Ealing Council, Dunnhumby and Aston Rowe Estate Agents battling it out for the winning trophy. The Ealing Mini Mile, open to young runners aged 6 – 11, is a new addition for 2013 and takes place in Lammas Park at 9.30 am with all 200 places snapped up.

The Ealing Half Marathon starts at 9.15 am in Culmington Road and finishes in Lammas Park where the race, retail and charity village are located. The route has been amended for 2013 with the single lap course taking in parts of Central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, St Stephens, Hanwell and West Ealing before returning to Lammas Park.

Bob Fletcher, Headteacher of North Ealing Primary school and a keen duathlete, has been nominated to start the 2013 Ealing Half Marathon as well as the Ealing Mini Mile. According to the nominations he ‘loves sport, works tirelessly for the school and is passionate about his community’.

Last year saw thousands of spectators and supporters lining the streets to cheer on the runners, showcasing true Ealing spirit and creating a fantastic, inspirational atmosphere. Recommended cheering points for spectators outside of Lammas Park include Uxbridge Road, Pitshanger Lane, Drayton Bridge Road and Cuckoo Avenue.

Key timings include the opening of the Race HQ at 7.00 am, the group warm up at 8.45 am, the start of the Ealing Half Marathon 2013 at 9.15 am and the start of the Ealing Mini Mile at 9.30 am. The first half marathon runners are expected to cross the finish line just after 10.17 am.

A number of road closures are in place for Sunday, details can be found on the website http://www.ealinghalfmarathon.com/local-resident-information .

Charity fundraising is a big part of the Ealing Half Marathon and the organisers are hoping to beat last year’s raised amount of £150,000. Epilepsy Action is the official charity for the Ealing Half Marathon 2013 with other charity partners including Tearfund, Cape, Ealing Samaritans, Ealing Centre for Independent Living, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, Shooting Star Chase, The Gabrielle Gray Foundation, Raise the Roof Kenya and St Mungo’s.

The race has the support of five Anglican churches alongside the running route who will be manning the Volvic water stations, and the Ealing Half Marathon Pasta Party also returns to St Peter’s Church (Mount Park Road, Ealing) on Saturday 28th September, where runners, volunteers and local residents can congregate after the 16.30 church service for a bowl of pasta at just £2.00 with all proceeds going to the church.

Elite athletes entered into the Ealing Half Marathon include Run-Fast’s Matthew Kiprotich Kimutai whose running achievements include 2nd place at the Bath Half Marathon 2013, winner of the Cardiff 10K and winner of the Nairobi Half Marathon in 2012. Josphat Kiprop, 10K Bronze medallist in the African Junior Championships, is another contender for the winning title.

Other names in the elite running field include Darren McNeely (Serpentine/Finn Valley/Elmbridge), Robert Wilson (Ealing, Southall & Middlesex AC), Tim Haughian (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow AC) as well as Rebecca Moore (Worthing & District Harriers/Cambridge Uni), Amy Cope-Balchin (Serpentine AC & Ealing Eagles) and Katy Webster (London Heathside Runners AC) in the women’s field. Last year’s winners, Jonathan Stead from Herne Hill Harriers and Gabriel Carnwath from Altrincham & District will also be taking part again.

Online entry to the 2013 race closes at midnight Thursday 26th September.

Sponsors of the Ealing Half Marathon 2013 include Up & Running, Volvic, TIMEX, Clif Bar, Xempo, Mercedes Benz Brentford, Smart Brentford, Move Clinics, Bodyline Fitness, The New Inn, The Park Club, Dunnhumby, Ealing Eagles and Ealing Council.

Please go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com for further race info, like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ealinghalf and follow @EalingHalf on Twitter.

 

25th September 2013