EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon October 25, 2008

The inaugural EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon - the ‘Race Against Climate Change’ - is set to take place on Sunday 26th October 2008 in the second city.

The ‘Race Against Climate Change’ is based on the belief that sport has the power to unite and inspire people to want to work for a better future. EDF Energy is using its sponsorship of the half marathon to call on all runners to join together in making a real difference in the race against climate change and demonstrate their own commitment to reducing their personal carbon footprints by a tonne.

Starting just outside the Birmingham Alexander Stadium, the half marathon will make its way through the heart of the city before heading out to Edgbaston and back towards the Hagley Road ahead of its finish near Centenary Square.

Full details of the route for the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon are available on the event website at www.birminghamhalfmarathon.com where runners can also sign up to take part.

The EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon was officially launched in June at the Birmingham Alexander Stadium, where local favourite Denise Lewis, the heptathlon Gold medalist at the Sydney 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES, and celebrity charity campaigner and fitness enthusiast, Nell McAndrew took part in a training session providing practical advice on running a half marathon as well as tips to leading a greener lifestyle.

They were also joined by local celebrity Dave Heeley, also known as ‘Blind Dave’, who recently completed a fantastic feat of running seven marathons in seven days and club members from Birchfield Harriers Athletic Club who are based at the Birmingham Alexander Stadium.

Anyone who agrees to take part in the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon will automatically be invited to join the EDF Energy 2012 Carbon Challenge at savetodaysavetomorrow.com, where they can take the first step in the race against climate change. Runners will be given access to free energy training programmes featuring helpful tips and advice to encourage individuals to lead a more energy efficient way of life. As part of its Climate Commitments, EDF Energy is trying to reduce the proportion of CO2 arising from its customers’ energy consumption by 15% by 2020.

Birmingham City Council Leader, Councillor Mike Whitby, said: “I am absolutely delighted to build on Birmingham’s renowned reputation for hosting more international sporting events than any other city in the UK, by organising our first-ever half marathon.

“The EDF Birmingham Half Marathon will secure for the city a place on the road running map and I hope that people from across the city will support this fabulous event, either by taking part or lining the streets on the route and cheering on those people who are running.”

Councillor Ray Hassall, Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture said: " I am delighted to have been able to bring this event to fruition and I hope that our staging of the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon will inspire local people to get fit and be healthy and I’d like to encourage all participants to make use of our great leisure facilities and fantastic parks and opens spaces as they will all be excellent training venues for this event.”

Martin Stead, Brand Director for EDF Energy, said: “We’re delighted to be launching the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon. It’s fantastic for the City and the race is the latest part of our brand strategy to encourage us all to work together to make 2012 a real turning point in the fight against climate change.

Ray Wiltshire, Head of Sponsorship, PR & Events, EDF Energy, said: “We are very proud to be linking up with such an exciting event as the Birmingham Half Marathon. With over 8,000 acres of parks and open spaces we feel that we have found the perfect city to showcase EDF Energy’s green credentials, whilst actively encouraging individuals to take part in a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle through our Carbon Challenge programme. This complements our position as a sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

For more information or to take part in the EDF Energy Half Marathon and join the 2012 Carbon Challenge, visit www.savetodaysavetomorrow.com

The EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon is supported by 100.7 Heart fm, the Birmingham Mail and the Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust.

Official Website: http://www.birminghamhalfmarathon.com