London 2012 legacy event now in its third year

The Ealing Half Marathon, has officially become a Community Interest Company (CIC) meaning it benefits the community rather than private shareholders.

The Ealing Half attracts 6,000+ runners and was voted number one race for ‘best atmosphere in 2013’ by Runner’s World UK and recently voted the ‘Best Half Marathon’ at The Running Awards. The move to become a CIC reflects why the race was created originally, with the aim to give something back to Ealing and the wider community.

Race Director Kelvin Walker said: "The Ealing Half Marathon was always set up to be a London 2012 legacy event and to get more people running via participation in an inspiring road closed half marathon. Our objective of a community based event is better reflected in being a CIC, where the aim is to benefit Ealing and the wider community, rather than individuals or corporations. Any surplus from the event is ploughed back into local projects which benefit everyone".

"Half marathons tend to be organised by running clubs or increasingly by commercial organisations, but we felt that a CIC better reflected the social enterprise that we are".

"The event has been called ‘the community race with a professional touch’ which we are very proud of. It would not happen without the 6,000+ runners, 20,000+ spectators, 500 marshals, the huge community support and the continued co-operation of the local authorities/services. Ealing really comes alive on race day and we want to continue to showcase our town and borough to a wider audience, sharing the true #EalingFeeling."

“We would love the race to be a firm fixture on the running calendar for many years to come. The CIC will continue the aim, via steady and manageable growth, of delivering a high standard race every September and to get more people running regularly in the borough. We are also keen to help any other similar organisations to ours in any way we can.”

The Ealing Half Marathon is held on 28th September on fully closed roads, starting and finishing in West London’s Lammas Park. Registration is open with entry fees of £32 for affiliated runners and £34 for unaffiliated runners. All finishers receive a distinctive medal and an online e-goody bag after the race.

Official race partners include ASICS, evian, Clif Bar, Move Clinics, Mercedes-Benz Brentford, Xempo, 1e, Crowne Plaza, The New Inn, Ealing Broadway Centre, Ealing Gazette, Ealing Eagles and Ealing Council. The headline charity for 2014 is Alzheimer’s Society.

Go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com for further details and to register, like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ealinghalf and follow @EalingHalf on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest news about the Ealing Half Marathon.

22nd July 2014