FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Entries Open For the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2015
RUNNERS can star in Scotland's most spectacular sporting year by signing up
for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2015.
Entries open today for Scotland's largest running event on Saturday May 30
and Sunday May 31 2015, with early birds snapping up a discounted entry.
The festival, which is expected to attract more than 30,000 runners to
Edinburgh and raise thousands of pounds for charity, will kick off an
extraordinary year of sport in Scotland with a line-up that includes the
European Judo Championships, World Gymnastic Championships, Swimming IPC
World Championship and World Orienteering Championships.
Neil Kilgour, Edinburgh Marathon Festival director, said: "Scotland is
preparing to welcome the world in 2015 and we look forward to delivering an
outstanding Edinburgh Marathon Festival that the nation will be proud of."
"Now is the time to make 2015 your year. The earlier you sign up the
better, both to guarantee a place and set aside plenty of time to work out
a sound training programme so you're in peak condition on the big day.
There really couldn't be a better time to plan a trip to Scotland."
With its fast and flat route, the Edinburgh Marathon Festival is one of the
fastest in the world and a perfect choice for runners chasing a personal
best. The Edinburgh Marathon joined the world's elite road races in 2012 by
becoming the first race in Scotland to be officially recognised by the
IAAF, the athletics governing body. The IAAF bronze label puts the race
among the top 75 in the world making it a pivotal part of the sporting
calendar for runners.
With runners from more than 100 countries expected to take part, the
Edinburgh Marathon Festival is an ideal way to showcase the capital at its
very best and compliment Visit Scotland's tourism programme. Having
Edinburgh Castle as a stunning backdrop to the races adds to the appeal.
Former Edinburgh resident, Maureen Jones, travelled from Norway to take
part in this year's event to raise money for Breast Cancer Care, a charity
very important to her during her treatment of breast cancer. She said: "I
was really excited to come back to my home city to run. Many of my family
and friends kindly came along to support me".
"I have never been a runner or a jogger before and I've certainly never
taken part in any races so this is a whole new experience for me at the
tender age of 55. However, a bone density scan in September 2012 showed
evidence of Osteoporosis which is exacerbated by some of the medication
which I will be taking for at least the next 5 years. Weight bearing
exercise such as jogging is apparently an excellent way to help prevent
things deteriorating."
Mark Cooper, 31, from Edinburgh can't wait to sign up. It
will be the fourth time he'll have run the Edinburgh Marathon and said: "I
plan to run EMF 2015 because it's in Edinburgh, has a great atmosphere and
the course allows for a PB opportunity. It's a beautiful and fast route.
The crowds cheering along this year's route made it a great day so I'd
recommend it to people out there thinking about taking on a challenge next
year."
"I started running in 2007 to stop smoking, it quickly became a huge part
of my life. There are so many benefits to running. Physical and mental
health is vital for everyday happiness and running gives you both. Anyone
can do it, you just need to start small and build up. There's also the
sense of personal achievement that's unrivalled by any other activity for
me."
Nicola Duncan , 32, from Portobello Running Club, Edinburgh, finished
2:33:28 in this year's London Marathon which is only 8 seconds under the
female Marathon course record of 2:33:36 set by Zinaida Semenova of Russia
in 2005 making her a favourite to win next year. Her previous Edinburgh
Marathon run delivered a second in the female category in 2011 and said:
"I'm excited about running in EMF 2015, it's a great fast course!"
"There are so many things I love about running! I love the feeling of
being outdoors and pushing myself hard, I love seeing how hard training
translates into improved results and I love the social side of it all! I
have made so many great friends through running and love doing some of my
sessions with others, in particular my long runs. I love sharing the buzz
after a race with all my running buddies!"
"I will definitely be aiming to race in Edinburgh next year - I've finished
second and third in the past so would be great to complete the hat trick!".
"The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is like no other. Where else can you run
past Holyroodhouse where the Queen stays while in Scotland, along a pretty
Scottish coastline and past Musselburgh Links, the oldest golf course in
the world and have a great chance of achieving a PB as well!"
Second only to London in terms of size in the UK, the Edinburgh Marathon
Festival, which in 2015 will be in its 13th year, takes place in Scotland's
capital city Edinburgh and continues through East Lothian. There are seven
races on offer, guaranteeing there is something for everyone from the
seasoned runner to the charity fundraiser and beginners. The fun kicks off
on Saturday May 30 at Holyrood Park with a 10k, 5K and two junior races. On
Sunday May 31, the Edinburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay starts
from the heart of Edinburgh and continues through East Lothian offering
stunning views and an unforgettable running experience.
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival has had an economic impact of more than £25
million for Scotland's capital and helped raise more than £30 million for
hundreds of charities. Together with the Edinburgh Marathon Festival's
Official Charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, organisers are hoping to break
all previous records and raise even more in 2015.
Craig Fordham, Head of Challenge & Regional Events said: "Macmillan Cancer
Support are thrilled to be the Official Charity of the Edinburgh Marathon
Festival. Since our partnership began in 2012, over 4,500 runners have
raised £1.8 million, funding vital cancer services in Scotland and
throughout the UK. We're calling on runners to join Team Macmillan for the
2015 Edinburgh Marathon Festival and help us smash through the £2.5million
barrier."
One such achiever was Steven Bonthone, 43, from Perth who won an ambitious
race against time to complete all FOUR adult races in EMF2014, running a
total of 48 miles during the two-day running festival to raise funds for
Macmillan Cancer Support. Steve said: "I ran the 5k and 10k, Half and Full
Marathon to honour my dad's memory who lost his battle with oeophageal
cancer in July 2013. He inspired me to take up running and took me along to
my first run when I was young."
The 43 year old who lives in Perth, ran the Half Marathon in 1 hours, 33
minutes and 58 seconds then jumped on a motorbike back into the city centre
to join the crowds in the nick of time and run the Full Marathon. Steve,
who also completed the EMF 10K in 41 minutes and 33 seconds and the 5K in
20 minutes and 39 seconds, was exhausted but elated when he finally crossed
the finish of the Full Marathon after 4 hours and 26 minutes and 15
seconds.
Entries are now open for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on May 30 and 31,
2015 with an early bird discounted entry. Just go to the website
www.edinburgh-marathon.com and like the Edinburgh Marathon Festival
Facebook page. EMF Twitter - @MrHairyHaggis; #edinburghmarathon
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