Leicester Marathon hit the targeted number entries; search for major sponsor is not over yet
The organizers of the Leicester Marathon are certainly glad to meet their target of ensuring 2,500 entries in the run. This means that now they will not have to cover for the shortfall of the money required to stage the event. But despite meeting the capital
cost of the event, the organizers’ search for a major sponsor is certainly not over yet.
The funding from Kirby and West’s five-year back has ended, and in the backdrop, Christian Weikert-Picker, the director of the race, said, “Attracting a new sponsor will really secure the race’s future and holds the key to everything. If we can do that –
and ideally I would have liked something resolved for this year – it may mean we can raise the prize money. I know that would help the profile of the race but it is still a charity event.” He said that they had projections to meet for helping the primary cause
of the event - to help Loros and the Matt Hampson Foundation.
Talking about hitting the target of 2,500 entries, which was still 1,000 less, compared to last year’s competition, Weikert-Picker said, “It’s been tough and I thought at one stage we weren’t going to get there. But we had a few last entries and we are now
at the predicted total which means the event is self-sufficient.”
Having a look over the runners appearing in the run, it seems that the marathon is wide-open this year again. Just like the last year’s meet, bagged by Noel Kindon from Cornwall, this year’s event can also be bagged by a runner from outside the Leicestershire.
However, that does not mean that a local champion will not be crowned. In 2010, for finishing behind Kindon, the country title was claimed by Tim Doran. Doran is a part of the race this year as well.
In the half marathon contest, the interest of the spectators will be there with the performance of Nigel Stirk, who is all set to defend his title albeit in presence of a stronger lineup this time. Today, the preliminary Expo event for the race has kicked
off at the Phoenix Square, and the athletes as well as spectators can visit it from 11 am onwards.
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