Running out of Gift Ideas for Your Valentine?

PRESS RELEASE: 01 February, 2016

RUNNING OUT OF GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR VALENTINE?

February 14th marks the closing date for one of the most prestigious half marathons in the British running calendar - The Vitality Reading Half Marathon. Many people exchange cards, chocolates or flowers with their special valentine, but why not give the gift of motivation to the runner in your life?

The present of a place on the start line to the UK’s fastest and flattest route is sure to impress. The popular courseis renowned for welcoming thousands of newcomers to the running community, as well as providing the perfect platform for seasoned runners to achieve new personal bests - attracting almost 20,000 registered runners in 2015. The route leads runners from Green Park, through the beautiful grounds of Reading University and to a momentous finish inside Reading Football Club’s Madejski Stadium, guaranteed to make your valentine feel number one!

Judith Manson, Race Director of the Vitality Reading Half Marathon,comments: “This really is a race for the experienced athlete chasing a new PB, through to the complete beginner looking for a friendly, safe and fun environment to run in.The eventhas become well-known for its incredible crowd support both out on the course from the people of Reading and the surrounding area, as well theiconic Madejski Stadium finish which isset to be packed with a 15,000-strong crowd of cheering family and friends.”

In 2014 and 2015 the Reading Half Marathon saw more runners crossing the finish line in under 70 and 80 minutes than any other UK road Half Marathon and in 2015, 18 of the 50 fastest times run by UK male athletes were run at the Reading Half Marathon*.

To guarantee yourself or your valentine a place in the Reading Half Marathon, visit: before 14th February 2016.

~ends~

Words: 302

PRESS ENQUIRIES

Catherine Russ

Promote PR

01628 507 662

Editor’s notes:

* Results provided by powerof10.org

Vitality Reading Half Marathon, 22 March 2015:

In 2015, 68 athletes completed the race in under 71 minutes.

Male 2015 winner: Amos Kiplagat

Female 2015 winner: Lily Partridge

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.`

For more information visit

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