The Big One is back! Entries for the 2014 Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon were officially opened today [Friday 3rd January] And to mark the occasion, a giant ‘Y’ for Yorkshire took over Clifford’s Tower, in the centre of the marathon’s home city of York. A priority pre-sale of places began today, with general entries opening on Monday 6th January at 9am. Over 6,000 places in last year’s event sold out in a record three days - and 2014’s event looks set to be equally popular. The 2013 inaugural Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon, last October, was hailed a huge success, bringing in up to £2m for good causes. According to financial experts, it also brought a boost of at least £1m for the local economy. And it is hoped that the 2014 event on Sunday 12th October, which again starts and finishes at the University of York, will be even bigger and better still. The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon is proudly supported by Yorkshire-based home and broadband provider Plusnet, which recently signed a three year sponsorship deal for the event. Nick Rawlings, Commercial and Marketing Director at Plusnet, said:
“It’s great to be back on board for this year’s event. “The inaugural Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon really captured the public’s imagination and I don’t think anyone could have guessed the attention the event would gather in its first year. "This year, Plusnet is committed to supporting The Yorkshire Marathon team to make the event even bigger and better, with lots more interaction for the runners and the crowds of supporters across the course.”
Event lead Lisa Ashcroft said:
"The reaction to last year’s Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon was phenomenal and we now want to build on that success for future years. We’re so grateful to everyone in York and along the route who really embraced the first ever marathon and helped make it such a fantastic experience for all of our runners. We’re looking forward to another brilliant year.” The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon is also backed by the City of York Council, the University of York, Asda Foundation, the Yorkshire Post, Runner's World, Marathon Talk and Run247.com. Councillor Sonja Crisp, City of York Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “Hot on the heels of the first Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon and the sporting and economic benefits it brought our city, we’re delighted that this hugely enjoyable event is returning in 2014 to build on its success. “Runners, their supporters and families can be assured of a warm welcome, a beautiful course and a fantastic weekend in one of the UK’s loveliest and most vibrant cities.”
The marathon is organised by the team behind the popular Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All 10K series and Leeds Half Marathon, and is part of the lasting legacy of the late Jane Tomlinson CBE, who raised almost £2million by completing a series of amazing sporting challenges, despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer. Runners taking part in the marathon are encouraged to raise funds for a cause close to their heart and especially the event’s official partner charities – Martin House Children's Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, Yorkshire Cancer Research, Parkinson's UK, the Haven, Clic Sargent, Candlelighters, St Leonard's Hospice, Sue Ryder Care and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal. General entries for The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon open on Monday 6th January at 9am prompt. Go to www.theyorkshiremarathon.com to sign up. Entries are also open now for the Ultimate Season Ticket, which includes a guaranteed place in The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon and places in all 4 Run For All 10Ks. Go to www.runforall.com for more information.