The 2015 Vitality Reading Half Marathon Needs Your Help

PRESS RELEASE: 02 FEBRUARY 2015

THE 2015 VITALITY READING HALF MARATHON NEEDS YOUR HELP BECOME A RACE MAKER NOW!

With only weeks to go until the 2015 Vitality Reading Half Marathon, race organiser Sweatshop needs your help. Join the team of volunteers, become a Race Maker and be a part of the UK’s fastest* and most prestigious half marathon.

Joining the team as a Race Maker on 22 March 2015 is the perfect chance to meet new friends and help thousands on their journey around the iconic course, raising thousands of pounds for many local and national charities.

There are a range of roles available, both on and off the course where volunteers will get the chance to be at the heart of the action. Join the team out on the road as a Route Marshal or Water Station team member – not only does it guarantee a front row spot for the race but you’ll be providing essential support and fuel for the UK’s best distance runners. Or, for those who would like to be in the Madejski Stadium cheering home thousands of finishers as they cross the line, why not apply for one of the Finish Line assistant positions.

Back in the race village, Kit Tent team members are needed to ensure the belongings of thousands of runners are kept safe and organised whilst they are out pounding the pavements. Plus, for those interested in leadership opportunities, there are also a number of options available.

Nick Pearson, Race Director of the 2015 Vitality Reading Half Marathon, comments: “The energy and enthusiasm of our Race Makers team has been fantastic in previous years and I hope the 2015 team will be even bigger and better than before. The work of our volunteers is paramount to ensuring the event goes as planned. It really is an inspiring day and I would encourage anyone to get involved!”

Race Makers must be 16 years of age on race day and be available for the whole day on Sunday 22nd March 2015 and attend at least one training session prior to race day. Team Leaders will also be required to attend two training sessions and participate as a Leader in the second session. Nick Pearson adds: “Becoming a Race Maker will boost your CV with many employers now seeking applicants with a range of work experience and volunteering roles.”

To find out more about the Race Maker role and to apply please download the application form, available from the ‘get involved’ tab www.readinghalfmarathon.com

The 13.1 mile course begins with a loop of Green Park before heading through the grounds of Reading University before finishing inside the Madejski Stadium, home of Reading FC.

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Classed as fastest UK half marathon - *the 2014 Reading Half Marathon had more race finishers crossing the line in under 70 and 80 minutes than any other 2014 UK road half marathon

Words: 447

PRESS ENQUIRIES James Watkins Promote PR 01628 507 670 [email protected]

Editor’s notes:

Race Makers are wanted to volunteer Sweatshop is committed to ‘Helping Runners Be The Best They Can Be’, giving them access to the best equipment and creating the best runner experience in all of our events – as a volunteer ‘Race Maker’ you can expect the same commitment: we will train you to be the best you can be in your role, provide you with the equipment you need to fulfil your role and ensure you have the best experience of the day. We are looking for long term commitment and that means we want to see you next year!

2015 Charities: Official Charity – Scope Partner Charities – MACS, Firefighters, The Royal Berks Charity Local charities – Berkshire MS Therapy Centre, Babies in Buscot, Naomi House Vitality Series Charity – Laureus Sport For Good Foundation

Vitality Reading Half Marathon route – NEW FOR 2015 The new course is flatter and faster, perfect for anyone trying to beat their personal best. The location of the start line remains 250m from the Madejski Stadium before taking runners around the Green Park loop, where they will be able to enjoy the scenery with fresh legs.

The route begins on Longwater Avenue before heading onto Brook Drive, returning to Longwater Avenue before crossing the A33 onto Bennet Road. From Bennet Road, the route moves onto Basingstoke Road and Hartland Road, where another change in the route occurs. Runners will cross the roundabout, missing Northumberland Avenue and part of Whitley Wood Road, eliminating one of the dreaded inclines on the course.

The route then moves on to Shinfield Road before heading onto the Reading University loop. Turning right out of the university the route continues along Christchurch Road to Kendrick Road before heading towards the town centre via London Road, London Street and Mill Lane. Runners will then cross the Kennet and pass The Oracle complex before reaching the half way mark on Kings Road, passing under Abbey Gate towards Forbury Gardens.

The route then takes a loop around the old Town Hall before heading onto Friar Street, before turning left onto West Street and right onto Oxford Road, where the runners will have to conquer a climb up Russell Street. The next loop of the run then heads right onto Tilehurst Road towards Liebenhood Road and Prospect Park, before turning left onto Bath Road and heading back into town, turning right onto Coley Avenue. Runners will then head left onto Berkley Avenue and right onto Rose Kiln Lane before following the A33 back to the Madejski Stadium and the finish line, where they will be greeted to a rapturous reception by supporters in the stands.

Vitality Reading Half marathon, 22 March 2015: In 2014, 54 athletes completed the race in under 71 minutes. Male 2014 winner: Scott Overall 1:04:44 Female 2014 winner: Susan Partridge 1:12:20.

Race organiser, Sweatshop: The UK’s largest specialist running retailer with shops nationwide. Sweatshop was founded by Olympic Champion Chris Brasher in 1971, with the aim to give every runner, from absolute beginner to international athlete, access to the very best equipment, supported by free gait analysis, sports bra fitting service and much more. Sweatshop’s first responsibility is to the runner and their mission is to help you Be The Best You Can Be. Sweatshop has been voted the ‘Best Retailer’ by readers of Runner’s World for eight years in succession including 2014. On top of this the store has been recognised in the 2014 Running Awards as the Best eTailer and Best Large Retailer.

Sweatshop staff are committed to providing outstanding customer service and to support this Sweatshop provides an extensive professional development training programme for all their staff including biomechanics, customer service, breast health and sports bra fitting.`

For more information visit www.sweatshop.co.uk Sweatshop staff are committed to providing outstanding customer service and to support this Sweatshop provides an extensive professional development training programme for all their staff including biomechanics, customer service, breast health and sports bra fitting. The Sweatshop Running Community is free to join and the free weekly runs open to all ages and abilities see people rewarded for running regularly. www.sweatshop.co.uk Vitality - the game changer for health and life insurance: Vitality is the new name for PruHealth and PruProtect. Vitality is insurance that rewards you for being healthy. As well as protecting you when things go wrong with award-winning health and life insurance, it also helps you lead a healthier life – meaning you don’t have to claim to be able to benefit. It’s the way insurance should be.

Vitality has partnered with a number of Vitality Ambassadors, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sebastian Coe and Jonny Wilkinson, who are role models that embody the values of Vitality. They are all using their passion for living a healthy lifestyle to motivate others to make positive changes. Taking small steps today can dramatically improve wellbeing over the long-term, regardless of your current state of health.

VitalityHealth and VitalityLife

VitalityHealth is one of the UK’s leading private medical insurers which have pioneered a new type of cover – Lifestyle Health Insurance. As well as providing first class cover and clinical care for when people are ill, it focuses equally on prevention and keeping people fit and healthy. It launched in the UK in 2004 as a joint venture between two large international financial services companies – Prudential plc and Discovery, a South African listed company operating in the USA, China and Singapore as well as the UK and South Africa www.vitality.co.uk/health.

VitalityLife was launched in September 2007 as an extension of the joint venture between Prudential and Discovery. One of the fastest growing life insurers in the UK, it is unique to the current UK protection market, and its suite of products includes Life Cover, Income Protection Cover and severity based Serious Illness Cover, additional benefits and Business Protection. By recognising people's efforts to look after themselves, VitalityLife is able to offer a more comprehensive set of benefits than traditional providers at a very competitive price www.vitality.co.uk/life.