Marathon boost to local economy

A NEW annual English Half Marathon road race set to take place in October will provide a major boost to the Warrington economy.
Already more than 400 people have registered to take part in the new event which has been dubbed the ‘People’s Challenge’, which is coming to Warrington this autumn, in the form of the New Balance English Half Marathon.
The road race which will start close to the town centre and finish at Victoria Park has running specialist, New Balance, as its title sponsor.
The event was launched at the offices of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) in Warrington and will take place as part of a weekend long festival of running, featuring a fun run and corporate challenge, on October 3 and 4.
Race organisers BIG-Q Events are hoping to attract 4,000 runners to the first New Balance English Half Marathon with a view to grow this to 10,000 runners by 2012 when the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games take place.
The route, which is still to be set in stone, will encompass both the heritage of the town as well as the newer developments.
Mike James the half marathon race director from BIG-Q Events, said, “ We have been working on this project for the past six months and are delighted with the support we have received from many organisations within the North West and in particular Warrington itself. We aim to organise a road running event that Warrington will be extremely proud of.
“With over 25 year’s event management experience and our organisational skills will ensure the New Balance English Half Marathon is an event that is accessible and enjoyable for everyone”.
As the only remaining sportswear brand to still manufacture running shoes in the UK, New Balance was keen to become synonymous with the English Half Marathon.
The New Balance factory in Flimby, Cumbria, produces in excess of 1.2 million pairs of trainers a year, employing 210 people and supplying over 73% of the overall UK & Ireland requirements and exports to over 50 countries around the world.
As the leader of economic development and regeneration in the Northwest, the NWDA is proud to welcome the New Balance English Half Marathon to Warrington and has come on board as one of the main sponsors of the event.
Sheldon Phillips, Head of Regional Major Events at the NWDA, said, “The English Half Marathon is an exciting new event for Warrington and for the Northwest, which runners of all abilities can take part in. A major sporting event such as this will make a valuable contribution to the local economy and improve the profile and image of Warrington, and the Northwest region, at a national and even international level.”
The plan is for the half marathon to become an annual event in the town and Warrington Borough Council, as the driving force behind the local community and one of the main sponsors, is “thrilled” to support it.
Ian Marks, Leader of the Council said, “Warrington Borough Council is extremely pleased to lend its support to this exciting project and I hope that 2009 will see the first of many half marathons to come.”
Local charities have been granted an elite alliance with the event so far including the Warrington Wolves Foundation, St Rocco’s Hospice, The Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Foundation and Warrington Disability Partnership.
Each charity has golden bond places to offer to runners who raise money for their cause.
To enter the event or for more information please visit www.english-half.co.uk or call 01228 564 567.
Picture shows the half marathon sponsors and organisers and charity mascots at the launch of the event.