PRESS RELEASE:17October 2016

ENTRIES FILLING FAST FOR THE 2017 VITALITY READING HALF MARATHON

Calling all runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a new challenge in 2017! Entries are filling fast for one of the UK’s fastest half marathons - the Vitality Reading Half Marathon, Sunday 19 March 2017.

The 34th event will build on the success of 2016 which saw more than 12,000 runners take on the prestigious course. It’s a date not to be missed in the 2017 race calendar, so enter now to avoid missing out on one of the UK’s top running events.

Runners in their thousands will lace up their trainers and head to the start line in the stunning parkland of Green Park where the race begins with a loop before crossing the A33. The route then takes in the beautiful grounds of Reading University and the highlights of the bustling town centre before runners complete their 13.1-mile journey in the iconic Madejski Stadium for the final straight, set to be packed with a 15,000-strong crowd of cheering family and friends.

Judith Manson, Sweatshop’s Race Director, comments: “We had a fantastic event last year, and entries have been flooding in for the 2017 race since April! This really is a race for everyone; from the experienced athlete looking for a new personal best, through to the complete beginner looking for a friendly, fun environment to run in.”

“Every year the people of Reading provide incredible support for the runners, along the whole length of the course and you’ll not find another race finish to rival the amazing feeling of running into the magnificent Madejski Stadium, to rapturous crowd support.”

“The race is also just weeks before April’s London Marathon, so it doubles up as an ideal training race for those runners working towards the marathon. So don’t delay your entry, sign up now to avoid disappointment and get ready to run one of the best races in the UK.”

Entry fees for the 2017 Vitality Reading Half Marathon are £36.00 for UKA affiliated club runners and £40.00 for all other runners, which includes a fantastic medal, finisher bag and finishers t-shirt at the end of the race.

Before the start of the half marathon, the Green Park Challenge will see 2,000 runners of all ages and abilities tackle the shorter 3km course. The park is set to be flooded in a sea of green as all runners don their Green Park Challenge t-shirts to raise money for many charitable causes. Entries for the Green Park Challenge are £8.50and includes a race t-shirt – sign up your family and friends now.

For more information about the 2017 Vitality Reading Half Marathon and to secure your place visit

~ENDS~

Words: 449

PRESS ENQUIRIES

Ruth Bowerman

Promote PR

01628 507662

Editor’s notes:

Race organiser, Sweatshop:

The UK’s largest specialist running retailer with shops nationwide. Sweatshop was founded by Olympic Champion Chris Brasher in 1971, with the aim to give every runner, from absolute beginner to international athlete, access to the very best equipment, supported by free gait analysis, sports bra fitting service and much more. Sweatshop’s first responsibility is to the runner and their mission is to help you Be The Best You Can Be. Sweatshop has been voted the ‘Best Retailer’ by readers of Runner’s World for eight years in succession including 2014. On top of this the store has been recognised in the 2014 Running Awards as the Best eTailer and Best Large Retailer.

Sweatshop staff are committed to providing outstanding customer service and to support this Sweatshop provides an extensive professional development training programme for all their staff including biomechanics, customer service, breast health and sports bra fitting.

The Sweatshop Running Community is free to join and the free weekly runs open to all ages and abilities see people rewarded for running regularly.

Vitality - the game changer for health and life insurance:

Vitality is the new name for PruHealth and PruProtect. Vitality is insurance that rewards you for being healthy. As well as protecting you when things go wrong with award-winning health and life insurance, it also helps you lead a healthier life – meaning you don’t have to claim to be able to benefit. It’s the way insurance should be.

Vitality has partnered with a number of Vitality Ambassadors, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sebastian Coe and Jonny Wilkinson, who are role models that embody the values of Vitality. They are all using their passion for living a healthy lifestyle to motivate others to make positive changes. Taking small steps today can dramatically improve wellbeing over the long-term, regardless of your current state of health.

VitalityHealth and VitalityLife

VitalityHealth is one of the UK’s leading private medical insurers which have pioneered a new type of cover – Lifestyle Health Insurance. As well as providing first class cover and clinical care for when people are ill, it focuses equally on prevention and keeping people fit and healthy. It launched in the UK in 2004 as a joint venture between two large international financial services companies – Prudential plc and Discovery, a South African listed company operating in the USA, China and Singapore as well as the UK and South Africa

VitalityLife was launched in September 2007 as an extension of the joint venture between Prudential and Discovery. One of the fastest growing life insurers in the UK, it is unique to the current UK protection market, and its suite of products includes Life Cover, Income Protection Cover and severity based Serious Illness Cover, additional benefits and Business Protection. By recognising people's efforts to look after themselves, VitalityLife is able to offer a more comprehensive set of benefits than traditional providers at a very competitive price