Jessica Ennis-Hill was in central London yesterday to launch the Vitality Run Series, a major new series of eight events, which will include the Bath 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 Bath 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.
Acting as spokesperson for the sponsors, Ennis-Hill commented: “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 Bath 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 Bath 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, Ennis-Hill 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.”
Andrew Taylor, Race Director for the Bath Half Marathon, commented: “We are delighted to announce the Bath Half Marathon’s inclusion in the new Vitality Run Series.
“It’s a great endorsement of the event to be included in this national road race series, and our partnership with such a high profile brand. We are particularly excited about Vitality’s plans and resources to provide additional benefits and opportunities for our runners.”
The Vitality Run Series calendar of events:
- Run Hackney, 22nd June 2014
- British 10k, 13th July 2014
- Oxford Half, October 12th 2014
- Brighton Half, 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.
For more information on the Vitality Run Series visit www.vitality.co.uk
