Registration for one of Scotland’s biggest running and fundraising events is opening tomorrow 18 October 2013. The Meadows Marathon 2014 will again include the 5.6km fun run, half marathon and full marathon to The Meadows on Sunday 2 March 2014.
The Meadows Marathon is a charity event organised by Edinburgh student volunteers, and is returning in 2014 for the eighth year in a row.
The 5.6km fun run is a great opportunity for runners of all abilities to challenge themselves and have fun. If you’re struggling to keep your new year’s fitness resolution it’s a great goal to aim for, while allowing you to raise money for charity. Fancy dress is encouraged, and adds to the fun feeling of the event. In the past there have been three-legged runners, blindfolded runners, people dressed as grannies – the options are endless. All unusual ideas are considered but must be cleared by the organisers before the day.
The half marathon and full marathon are more challenging, with many runners using the Meadows Marathon as practice for the Edinburgh or London marathons.
The event welcomes all abilities and ages, providing under- 16s are accompanied by an adult. The full marathon is £25 to enter and the half marathon and fun run are £15. This entry fee goes towards the cost of organising the marathon, with a substantial remainder being divided between several charities.
Raising money for charity is optional but strongly encouraged, as the Meadows Marathon is essentially a fundraising event. Runners are encouraged to seek sponsorship from friends and family, or can make an optional donation if they’re not fundraising in other ways. Runners can easily set up a Virgin Money Just Giving page, and there are plenty of suggestions of charities to support on the Meadows Marathon website ‘For Charity’ section.
Runners will have the option upon registration to choose from a list of suggested charities to raise money for through sponsorship. Runners will also have the option to decline these suggestions and collect sponsorship for a different charity of their own choice.
The Meadows Marathon was started in 2007 by two students at the University of Edinburgh and raised £8000 from 250 runners in its inaugural year. Since then it has gone from strength to strength, raising £25k in 2010 and £35k in 2011. The organisers for this year are hoping to match the success of previous years. Over the years the money raised has been divided amongst a range of Edinburgh based charities, as well as some farther afield in the UK and abroad.
The Meadows Marathon 2014 promises to be a fun-filled event for all the family, with entertainment planned for the day. Even if you’re not running, why not come down to the Meadows and support the runners, while enjoying the fun atmosphere on the day?
Runners can sign up from Friday 18th October 2013. Early sign-up for event is recommended to allow runners to begin their training programmes.
For more information, visit the Meadows Marathon website http://www.meadowsmarathon.org.uk , or follow Meadows Marathon 2014 on facebook or twitter.
Submitted by Helena Wilson
