News
Green light for new major event route
Race organisers for the 2011 Coventry Half Marathon are delighted to announce details of the new route for this year’s event.
The 13.1 mile race, taking place on Sunday 2 October, is a completely new route taking in different areas and roads in the north west and west side of the city, which will provide runners an opportunity to run a fresh route and potentially achieve a personal best.
For this year’s event, the Council is working alongside national athletic event specialists, Big Q, to deliver an updated event and attraction for the city and its visitors.
The route will start and finish in the city centre in Hales Street (by Coventry Transport Museum) and head out to Radford Road, continuing through Keresley, around Hawkes End to Allesley Village, onto Allesley Park and then back into the city through Allesley Old Road and Spon End.
A comprehensive route map, including all roads along the route can be found on the Route 2011 page.
Councillor Phil Townshend, Cabinet Member, with responsibility for Parks and Sports, said:
“I’m pleased to see that the new route has now been agreed and everyone’s efforts can be geared towards attracting runners to the event, which is now firmly in Coventry’s annual sporting calendar.
It’s also apt that with Coventry being a London 2012 co-host city, an Olympic-related sport is taking place here, which will help to keep the city’s event profile high in the run up to the Games and also encourage people to come back and visit us again either during the Games or for next year’s event.”
Race organisers have been liaising over a number of weeks with the local running community, local businesses, organisations and the public to ensure awareness and communication of the new route and gathering their support for the new route.
Mike James, Race Director, Big Q Events, added:
“A tremendous amount of time and consideration has gone into the planning and organising of a new route for this year’s race. Part of our remit for being involved with the event was to bring some fresh ideas and thoughts to the set up and see if between ourselves, the council and local running clubs, we could develop an exciting new course that is not only an attractive one for runners in terms of achieving good times but a scenic, pleasant route as well.
We hope that this year’s entrants will agree it is an attractive course to run, so now we look forward to seeing people sign up and pick up their training plans to succeed on the day.
Organisers would also wish to thank the local community and businesses for their understanding and support, in particular those who maybe affected by the new route.”
Sense announced as official Half Marathon charity
The national deafblind charity Sense is pleased to announce that it has been chosen as official charity to this year’s Coventry Half Marathon and is calling for runners to sign up.
Now in its seventh year and organised by Big Q Events, thousands of runners from across the UK are expected to run the race on 2nd October. To register for a place visit www.coventryhalf.com
Race Director Mike James said:
“It is always one of our main objectives to help raise much needed funds for charity and I would urge all runners to try and raise some funds for this fantastic charity. Runners who take on the challenge deserve to be sponsored so why not run for Sense. Remember to tick the box to raise for Sense when you enter.”
According to Marianne Beggs, Sense:
“We’re delighted to be selected as charity partner and are hoping that many runners will sign up to take part for Sense. We will provide a generous support package of training plans for runners of all levels to help them achieve their personal best.”
The money raised by Sense runners in the Coventry Half Marathon will help deafblind children and adults overcome the challenges that they face on a daily basis and enjoy some of the things that most people take for granted.
Ready, Steady, Go…its Big Q!
The annual Coventry Half Marathon and Mile event is set to return to the streets of Coventry on Sunday 2 October 2011.
Joining forces with leading events company, Big-Q Events, the City Council will remain at the centre of the event, with the day-to-day organisation and logistics being handed over to Big-Q with immediate effect.
Councillor Abdul Khan, Cabinet Member, Culture, Leisure, Libraries and Sport, said:
“I’m delighted to see this popular event continue to be held within the city. By joining forces with a specialist running event company, we are hopeful that the number of people taking to the streets, either through the main race or the more relaxed mile event will increase. With the approach of 2012 and Coventry’s role as a host city, our sporting event reputation will only be enhanced with another premier event taking place here in the city. I wish the event all the best.”
Commenting on their new involvement in the city, Event Director, John Martindale added:
”It’s great to be back in Coventry. I was part of the team that delivered the Westfield Health British Transplant Games here in 2009. After that uplifting experience, and seeing how the Coventry Team worked, we had no hesitation in submitting our tender. We’re delighted to have been selected and very much look forward to working with the City Council team again. In fact, work has already begun – the proposed course is one of the best, if not the best we’ve seen. Its all systems go and we’re looking for the continued support of sponsors, volunteers and of course the runners themselves!”
Big-Q Events is operated jointly by Interloq Sports Event Management, based in Dunfermline, Scotland and GB Event Management, Carlisle. The company also delivers international class half marathons in Edinburgh, Dunfermline and Warrington and services dozens of other events both at home and abroad.
Entries for the Coventry Half Marathon and Mile event are now open through Q-buster, Big-Q’s own online entry service. So, beat the queues, get ahead of the field and enter now.
Coventry Half Marathon Launch
The annual Coventry Half Marathon and Mile event is set to return to the streets of Coventry on 2 October 2011. Entries are now open, beat the Q – enter now through Big-Q’s own online entry service Q-buster – simply click on the buttons to the right.
Only then can you say: “I’m running Coventry!”
The council has joined forces with leading events company, Big-Q Events, who will take over the day-to-day organisation and logistics. Big-Q Events also delivers international class half marathons in Edinburgh and Dunfermline in addition to the New Balance English Half Marathon, Warrington. The company services dozens of other events throughout the UK and abroad.
Speaking at the launch, Event Director John Martindale said: “It’s great to be back in Coventry. I was part of the team that delivered the Westfield Health British Transplant Games here in 2009. After that uplifting experience, we’re delighted to be working with the Coventry team again.”
The event has already received good wishes from Haile Gebresellassie, Olympic gold medallist, marathon World record holder and founder of the Great Ethiopian Run, Addis Ababa. “Good luck with the new Half Marathon event in Coventry – we are pleased to hear that things are going well for you. Say hello to my good friend Dave Moorcroft.”
Whilst the planning process is well under way and we look to continue to build on the success of previous years, what really makes the event is people! We need runners, volunteers and support from business and the community.
