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ASICS Fleet Pre-London Half Marathon News 7 March 2012 Final Preparations Underway for ASICS Fleet Pre-London Half Marathon
Final preparations are taking place for
this year's ASICS Fleet pre-London Half Marathon which takes place
on Sunday 25th March. Fleet and Crookham AC are looking forward to
welcoming 3000 runners to the roads of Fleet and the surrounding
area. Among the runners will be serious athletes competing for the
top places, runners chasing the elusive PB (personal best), people
running their first ever half marathon and the charity runners
hoping to raise much needed money for their chosen charity. As in
previous years the prize list for the Fleet Half Marathon is
extensive - first 10 men, first 6 women plus all the age groups and
first 3 teams in both sexes. The best teams usually come from the
Army, Navy and RAF who are competing in their annual Inter Services
Half Marathon championship. This year they have got some competition
with some of the best civilian runners from the North, Wales and
the Midlands taking part. The result will be fast competitive
runners at the front end which not only produces a race of top
quality but will also attract other fast runners next year. There is
a new prize this year sponsored by Alton Sports of Farnham for the
first Hampshire based men and ladies running club team.
Race Director Penny Abbott says "Once
again the ASICS Fleet Half Marathon has proved it is a race people
want to run. We were full just after Christmas and have had to turn
runners away. We will have fast runs at the front end, but every
step of the way runners of all abilities will be achieving their
goal. Support along the way really does help to make the miles go by
so please do cheer on the runners. 2012 is a special year for Fleet
& Crookham AC as it is our 50th birthday year - we are very proud to
host this race and thank the residents of Fleet and the surrounding
village for their support."
As in previous years, the
organisers have secured a closure order relating to the roads on
which the race takes place (see map). This is a rolling road closure
with the roads re-opening as soon as possible after the runners have
passed. The official web.site www.fleethalfmarathon.com contains
a list of the roads affected together with anticipated closing and
re-opening times. The organisers appreciate the patience and
understanding of the motorists who may experience some delay in
their journeys if they travel during the road closure times. The
main aim is to minimise disruption as far as possible.
The associated charity since the race
began is Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and each year they enter a
large team full of celebrities from TV programmes such as Emmerdale,
Coronation Street and Waterloo Road etc....
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is
the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood
cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. These
cancers are diagnosed in more than 30,000 children, teenagers
and adults in the UK every year. The charity receives no
government funding and relies entirely on voluntary support. In
the next five years they need to raise £120 million to
continue their lifesaving research. Further information,
including patient information booklets, visit www.beatingbloodcancers.org.uk or
on 020 7405 0101. Samantha
Dickson Brain Tumour Trust has been associated with the Fleet
Half Marathon following the death of Colin Gostelow, the race's
founder. The Matthew Elvidge Trust must have the largest team
entered into this year's race. Hamish Elvidge says "Over the
last two years The Matthew Elvidge Trust has supported the Fleet
Half Marathon and, this year, we have 116 runners registered,
which is fantastic. Our runners take part to remember their
friend, Matthew, increase the awareness of mental health and
depression and raise funds to support our work. A huge thank you
to all our supporters." Another notable charity hoping to raise
money from pounding the streets of Fleet is Step by Step based
in Aldershot. The
Phoenix, Aldershot Town Football Club's colourful mascot, has
agreed to spearhead
Step by Step's thirty-strong team for the ASICS Fleet Half
Marathon on March 25.
Step by Step is the Aldershot-based charity which provides
accommodation, support
and training for over 850 young people who are homeless or
threatened by homelessness.
The team is hoping to raise at least £3,000 which will help to
finance the charity's
physical health programme.
The race would not be complete without a
World Record attempt and this year's is no disappointment. 44 year
old Andy Seery otherwise known as "Mad Cop" will be attempting to
run the Fleet Half Marathon in a full armoured suit, weighing over
35kgs. This attempt is actually just a warm up for his main
challenge which is to travel from Coldstream on the Scottish Borders
to Poland on a specially designed rocking. Andy is raising
significant funds for three worthy causes:
The Fleet Half Marathon's continuing
success would not be possible without its sponsors. Along with the
main sponsor ASICS there are local companies such as Amazon Windows
of Fleet, Barons BMW of Farnborough, Alton Sports of Farnham and
Hart Council. Fleet & Crookham AC are pleased to announce a couple
of new sponsors, national partner SIS who are providing subsidised
goodies and sports drinks and more locally - Taylor Wimpey, the
developers of Crookham Reach on the former Queen Elizabeth Gurkha
base. The sponsorship of the race will build on its existing
connection with Fleet & Crookham AC as the club eventually hopes to
relocate to the new Crookham Reach development, where a host of
sports facilities including a new athletics track is planned.
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Promoted by Fleet & Crookham Athletic Club