10th
July 08TOP SPRINTER LAUNCHES
WATERSIDE HALF MARATHON
Jason Smyth took time out from
his preparations for the Paralympics in Beijing next month to
launch this year’s Waterside Half Marathon on September 13 .
Although the triple World champion at the sprint distances did
turn a whiter shade of pale when asked by the Mayor, Gerard
Diver, if he would be running the race himself.
With new sponsors Tesco on board and police permission already
secured for the same route as last year, this year’s event looks
like surpassing all previous 20 odd editions of the race.
“We’re delighted to have Tesco on board as sponsors of the Waterside
for the next three years and we’re really looking forward to
the event in September,” said Race Director Gerry Lynch.
“We will hopefully have a 1000 people or more runners in the
Half and that includes the three-person relay and we’re looking
for 500 plus in the Fun Run as well.
“The £5000 prize fund also guarantees that we will have
some class action up front and as well as that we will also
cater for the club runners, fun runners and walkers out there
as well,” promised Lynch.
Although Tesco have been involved in the sport previously on
a UK wide level sponsoring a women’s 5K series and a charity
10Ks, it is the first time they have underwritten a local event.
“This is part of our wider corporate responsibility project.
We have two main stores in the city so we thought it would be
an ideal opportunity for us to get involved in this event, the
Half-Marathon.
“So it reinforces everything positive about getting healthy,
getting people out to exercise and getting involved in sport
and raising money for charity at the same time,” said Colin
Hampsey who is the NI Corporate Responsibility Manager for Tesco.
Last year’s race was won by Belfast athlete Joe McAlister while
Pauline Curley from Tullamore was the first woman across the
line. Further race and entry information is available on request
by email: halfmarathon@derrycity.gov.uk.
Malcolm
