Festival Fever Why Run for Charity Marathon Ever Present
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SUPPLEMENT Festival Fever Why Run For Charity Marathon Ever Present www.edinburgh-marathon.com 49 SPECIAL WHY YOU SHOULD BE PART OF FAST, FLAT & FUN EDINBURGH MARATHON boasts a flat and fast course which is ideal for PB hunters and equally suitable for first timers looking for an ‘easy’ break into the world of marathon running. Plus you get to enjoy some great sea views as you run along the East Lothian coast road. For more details on the route and what to look out for on race day see pages 66-67. IF YOU CAN’T face the thought of running a full marathon and even a half marathon seems THE FOUR FACTOR too full on there is always the Hairy Hag- gis Team Relay. Teams of four tackle the 26 miles and so you get to revel in the marathon atmosphere and benefit from team camarade- rie - bonus! The first leg is 8.1 miles, the second leg 5.4 miles, the third leg 8 miles and the final (glory) leg is 4.7 miles. Entry fee is £100 per team, however you could choose to run for a charity. They won’t ask for an entry fee, but will ask your team to commit to raising a set amount. For more information abour the Hairy Haggis visit: www.edinburgh-marathon.com 50 HEAR THE CHEERS BOTH THE marathon and half marathon have a grandstand finish at Musselburgh Racecourse. What better way to finish a race than to raise your levels of euphoria that bit more with a heaving crowd to cheer you home? At Musselburgh Racecourse you can also take advantage of post race refreshments and get the celebrations well under way before you head back home! CRANK UP the Edinburgh Marathon Festival experience to the very limit - run for a charity. BE INSPIRED The big Edinburgh occasion produces an incredible visual montage of charity banners, flags, t-shirts and that’s replicated in audio as the crowd roar out their approval for all the brave runners who are pushing themselves to the limit to help those less fortunate. Pull on the t-shirt and feel the love! And remember on those lonely winter training runs, you’re going to have your day in the sun - that thought will keep you going through the wind, the rain, the snow and the sleet. IN 2011 there will be accompanying races to Sunday’s marathon and half marathon. A 10K, 5K and Fun Run will all take place on the Saturday meaning that the weekend of races is totally inclu- sive to all family members - there really couldn’t be a better weekend to pay Auld Reekie a visit and challenge the whole family at the same time. See page 53 for more details about the races and also IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR the accompanying activities that will be going on throughout the weekend at the Hub! EDINBURGH REALLY is one of the world’s beauti- ful cities, noted for its museums and galleries. It is an inspiring place to be and a great venue for a weekend break. Book a place in one of the many races on offer, then spend the rest of the weekend soaking up the atmosphere in the historic city and enjoying yourself in one of the many superb bars and restauarants that the city has to offer. THE CULTURE SHOW 51 52 SPECIAL HUB OF ACTIVITY miles. There will be lots of bands and musical EDINBURGH ON THE weekend of May 21/22 entertainment - and there’s bound to be a piper is going to be buzzing with recreational runners. or two. There are now six, yes six, different events being Get advice about energy and hydration from run over the two days. The 5k, 10k and fun run the experts on the Lucozade team, pick-up last on Saturday and the Scottish Half Marathon, the minute gels and energy bars from retailer Run & Hairy Haggis Relay and the big one, the Edin- Become. Mega-brand Asics will be showing off burgh Marathon on Sunday. To create a focus the best of their summer of 2011 apparel and for all that excitement and sense of anticipation, you will find lots of smaller stands where you can GSi Events will be organising an Expo with a dif- find out about great running holidays, the latest ference on both May 21 and 22. improvement devices and plenty of other stuff. Firstly the organisers have selected a great Best of all SCOTTISH RUNNING GUIDE will venue for the new event, which they’ve chris- be out in force at the weekend - visit our stall to tened the Hub, at Holyrood Park - it’s a lovely collect the ‘hot off the press’ Summer Edition, spot, nestled below Arthur’s Seat, and close to enter a brilliant ‘Hub visitors only’ competi- to the Scottish Parliament. The three Saturday tion and to predict your time. The gang here races will start and finish there, overseas runners at SCOTTISH RUNNING GUIDE is looking will converge too, picking up their race packs forward to meeting lots of readers and hearing and soaking up the pre-marathon atmosphere. what you like about the magazine and where we Attractions will include an illustrated course could do better. plan with lots of advice and tips on how best to At time of going to press GSi Events had yet handle the various stages of the route. Ideal for to finally confirm Holyrood Park as the venue first-time runners and those unfamiliar with the for the Hub so check out www.edinburgh- course but useful too for previous runners look- marathon.com and www.scottishrunningguide. ing for that little nugget that will help them to a com for regular updates on what’s happening in PB or just to hang on for the last few demanding terms of venue and the Hub programme. 53 SPECIAL WHY YOU SHOULD BE A CHARITY RUNNER Running for charity is not only a great way to help a good cause, but a great way to help yourself - and to get the most out of the Edinburgh Marathon experience. Here we pick our top reasons to run for charity ... 54 PRE-RACE REACH YOUR POTENTIAL WHEN YOU sign up for a race and become a charity runner, your chosen charity will give you lots of help to fulfil your potential. Char- ity runners each receive a fundraising pack with everything from your sponsor forms to ideas about how raise funds. Charities have coaches who will be on hand to help you form a training plan and motivate you to make the most of your racing experience. You’ll also get tips on how to avoid injury, get to the start line in the best shape possible and get a good time. TEAM EFFORT CHARITIES HAVE teams of people who organise everything about their running events so you will never be alone. The charity will be behind you from start to finish and will really make you feel part of the team. You will also get to meet other runners who are running your race for your chosen charity and many runners make great friends and training partners. 55 SPECIAL DURING THE EVENT TRUE COLOURS! ALL CHARITIES will provide their runners with a running vest, with the charity’s branding on it. These can be customised if you are running in memory of someone special or you can dress up and take props with you to the race to make you stand out. Having your charity’s identity with you through the race is great, because everyone knows why you are running and can support you. SUPPORT EN ROUTE A BIG FEATURE of Edinburgh Marathon is that all the major charities are out in force on the day. They have specific cheering points bedecked in charity colours along the route where runners can look forward to some extremely vocal backing - just the boost you need to get you settled in the early stages or to stiffen your resolve as you tire later on. 56 WHY YOU SHOULD RUN FOR CHARITY POST-RACE MASSAGE & CHARITY TENT AT BIGGER races, most charities will have tents in the finish area, where all of its runners can relax after the race. Refreshments are on offer, massage will be available to help those tired legs after the race and runners and supporters can celebrate together. HELPING THOSE IN NEED THE BEST thing about running for charity is the satisfaction of seeing all your hard work being put to good use. If you have helped raise money for a specific appeal, your vital funds will help build a new facility or lifeboat, or train some volunteers, helping those most in need. These results make all the training and hard work worthwhile and brings a real buzz of satisfaction to the race. 57 SPECIAL Decided you’d like to run for THE OFFICIALcharity but aren’t sure CHARITIES which one ? Then consider one of the four official Edinburgh Marathon Festival charities ... OFFICIAL CHARITY Show Them You Care BREAST CANCER Care is delighted to be an ices to people affected by breast cancer. From official charity for the Edinburgh Marathon diagnosis, through treatment and beyond, their Festival for a third year. If you want an unfor- services are here for them every step of the way. gettable marathon experience, join their team. Help Breast Cancer Care support people like Breast Cancer Care make fundraising easy and Anita Neilson, a nurse from Glasgow who was race day one to remember.