Scotland Kilomathon

Scotland Kilomathon – 3rd October 2010

Double Olympian Liz Yelling launches the Kilomathon™ UK Race Series

Double Olympian, Liz Yelling, launched the world's first Kilomathon™ at Pride Park, Derby.  The Kilomathon will be innovative new race distance of 26.2 kilometres (16.3 miles) in length. The race distance has been billed as 'the perfect race distance' for anyone who is training for a marathon or as a stand-alone challenge.

The world's first Kilomathon will take place between Nottingham and Derby on 14th March 2010, 6 weeks before the 2010 Virgin London Marathon. This road race will be the first of a UK wide series making up the Kilomathon-UK race series. The other races are planned for Edinburgh, Cardiff and Northern Ireland in 2010 and 2011.

Double Olympian Liz Yelling said;
"The Kilomathon will be an exciting new fixture on the UK running calendar.  This innovative event will be a new target distance for lots of runners, from the experienced looking to develop their performance or for runners looking for a different challenge.  Any new initiatives that get more people active, fit and healthy, can only be positive for the sport and who knows, may even help to find the champions of tomorrow".   

Each of the Kilomathons are expected to raise over £1 Million for charity with an expected combined economic impact of over £5 Million.  The initial feedback about the new race series from runners has been extremely positive with over 3,500 already signed up to receive entry information.  The world's first Kilomathon between Nottingham and Derby is expected to be the flagship event for two main reasons.  Firstly, there will only be one opportunity to be part of the world's first Kilomathon.  The second reason is its location.  Being less than 2 hours drive from Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, London and many more cities makes it possible for runners to jump in their cars early in the morning, run the race and be home in time for dinner.

The Kilomathon UK race series will be organised by GSi Events, the same people who have successfully organised the Edinburgh Marathon since its conception in 2003.  They have seen the event grow from 2,500 finishers in its first year to over 17,000 entries for this year's Edinburgh Marathon.  The Kilomathon Race series and the Edinburgh Marathon were started by Geoff Sims who was born and bred in Derby, which might be another reason that the world's first Kilomathon will finish in Derby. 

The route will see the race start just outside Nottingham University and head toward Long Eaton and on through Draycott. It cuts through Elvaston Castle and goes down Shardlow Road, through Alvaston, along London Road and finishes near Pride Park.

Geoff Sims, Chief Executive of GSi Events said;
"We have quickly grown the Edinburgh Marathon in to a top class running event and we will put the same energy and drive in to making the Kilomathon-UK race series the biggest and best delivered running events in the UK".

Entries to the world's first Kilomathon will open on Tuesday 1st September 2009 - the same day as entries open for the Edinburgh Marathon.

- - ENDS - -