The organisers of the Ealing Half Marathon have launched a Friends of Ealing Half Marathon membership scheme to enable the long term growth of the event.
The launch of Friends of Ealing Half Marathon comes as the race enters its sixth year, with this year's event due to be held on September 24.
Race Director Sandra Courtney said: “We are always being asked how people can help to make Ealing Half Marathon even more successful.
“An event of our size costs well over a quarter of a million pounds every year to stage, and with no ongoing subsidy we are reliant on race entrants and sponsors - having an official Friends membership scheme feels like the logical way for people to help and be part of what we are trying to achieve.
“The support we receive is amazing - thousands of runners, volunteers and spectators really do help to make the Ealing Half Marathon a special event and we will be delighted for the Friends to play their part in helping to make the event sustainable going forward.
“The great thing is that anyone can become a Friend of Ealing Half Marathon.
“You don’t need to be a runner, a volunteer or a spectator to help; you can be a part of this important West London event just be becoming a Friend and providing valuable support as a member.”
Ealing Half Marathon is registered as a Community Interest Company whereby profits are channelled back into the community.
With the principal aim of the company to increase the availability of sport and fitness, projects that have received funding from the race include running clubs at schools and for adults, and drives to tackle childhood obesity.
Membership of the scheme includes access to a VIP marquee on the day of the Ealing Half Marathon as well as entry into a draw to be an official starter for the event.
Merchandise will be available and a launch event for all Friends will be held locally each spring.
In addition, Friends will be recognised by receiving a digital badge for use on social media and have the option to donate more via the Friends of Ealing Half Marathon web pages.
Membership is £35 per year, or £55 including an exclusive t-shirt.
7,500 places are available for the 2017 Ealing Half Marathon, and the event is expected to attract athletes from over 25 countries to West London this autumn.
The event has been voted the UK’s best half marathon at The Running Awards for the last three years.
The 13.1-mile single lap, traffic-free course takes runners through parts of Central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Hanwell and St Stephens before returning to Lammas Park.
The Lead Charities for the 2017 Ealing Half Marathon are Cancer Research UK and Alzheimer’s Society.
Entries for the Ealing Half Marathon 2017 are open - until 30th April 2017 the fee is £38 for affiliated runners and £40 for non-affiliated runners, and between 1st May – 31st July 2017 this rises to £40-£42.
Become a Friend of Ealing Half Marathon at ealinghalfmarathon.com/friends-ealing-half/
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