Specialist running retailer Up & Running has announced that it will be joining Schools Half Marathon as one of the Foundation Partners.
Schools Half Marathon is part of Schools Running Movement by UK Run Events, a collaborative revolution for movement and change.
As one of the Foundation Partners, Up & Running will be donating 25p from each of their new Bag for Young Lives sold to this inspiring and potentially life-changing initiative. The Up & Running Bag for Young Lives is a non-woven bag made from spun-bonded polypropylene (PP). Non-woven PP is strong and lightweight, and as a by-product of oil manufacture it is a good environmental choice. The bags are 100% reusable and recyclable, helping to reduce waste, and they are available in Up & Running stores across the country now.
The three-year partnership with Up & Running will also see the retailer support Schools Half Marathon with the funding of filming and promotion.
Up & Running’s Social Run Group, SRG, has come on board as a volunteering partner to help at Schools Half Marathon events across the country in 2019 and beyond. SRG will be helping with marshalling, cheering and tail-running the various Primary School age groups on race day, and safeguarding measures will ensure that all those who have a key role interacting with the pupils are fully DBS checked.
Up & Running is one of 12 Foundation Partners for Schools Half Marathon. Together, the Foundation Partners will form an Advisory Committee (AC) which will work as ONE to continue to drive Schools Half Marathon forwards with the founders Rebecca Richardson and Joe Williams.
Schools Half Marathon is a cumulative, non-competitive and inclusive challenge that sees pupils run 12 miles at school over the course of a term or half term, before running the final 1.1 miles at an organised event in front of family and friends. By encouraging school children to get active and rewarding them along the way, the initiative helps children to develop healthy habits to exercise regularly, reduce screen time and build confidence through sport.
The first trial for Schools Half Marathon took place in school year 2016 / 2017 in Shropshire as part of Shrewsbury Half Marathon weekend. Schools Half Marathon is now a stand-alone event and part of the nationwide Schools Running Movement by UK Run Events, a collaborative revolution for movement and change.
The 2019 Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon welcomed 1,800 children from 32 schools, and further events taking place in 2019 include Telford & Wrekin, Brighton and Hove, Stockport and West Sussex. More locations will be announced over the coming months for 2020.
Schools Half Marathon Co-Founder Rebecca Richardson commented, “We are thrilled to confirm Up & Running as a Foundation Partner for Schools Half Marathon and we are looking forward to working with them over the next three years to build on the momentum of Schools Half Marathon across the country. It is a privilege to be working with such a trusted name in the industry to support the run out of Schools Half Marathon. We are incredibly excited to be making a difference as ONE to school children across the country, and the support from Up & Running will be invaluable in building on this for the future.”
Up & Running General Manager Jonathan Midwood added, “We are delighted to come on board with Schools Half Marathon as a Foundation Partner and to be involved in such an inspiring and positive initiative. We have a long-standing relationship with UK Run Events and are looking forward to working with them closely to keep driving Schools Half Marathon forwards together.”
Any school wishing to find out more or register for Schools Half Marathon can do so on the event website: www.schoolshalfmarathon.co.uk/event-directory, or by emailing info@schoolshalfmarathon.co.uk.
Go to www.schoolshalfmarathon.co.uk for further details, like UK Run Events on Facebook and follow @ukrunevents on Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest news #SchoolsHalfMarathon.
