Runners take to the streets of Bradford in the run up to Christmas 2012!

Congratulations and thanks to all those who took part in the 2012 5k and 10k City Run races and well done to this year’s winners. It’s been a perfect December day with glorious sunshine.

Full details can be viewed at www.bradfordcityrun.com

Bradford City Runners take to the streets for the third year!

Yesterday’s Bradford City Run was enjoyed by over a thousand people who breathed a sigh of relief at the slightly cooler temperatures across the city. The 1/2 marathon was officially started by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Naveeda Ikram from the city centre and ended in Lister Park in Manningham, the site for the event’s Fun Run.

Winning man, Stephen Broadbent (who came second last year) took the top spot in 1:15:47, while the female winner was Jo Buckley with a time of 01.27.11. Both were presented with their trophies, prize vouchers and a bottle of bubbly by the Lord Mayor.

The 1/2 marathon started near the iconic Alhambra Theatre at 9am and followed a challenging route around breathtaking Yorkshire countryside before ascending up the 1:5 Highgate Hill into Bradford’s award-winning Lister Park for the finish. Family members and friends lined the route to cheer the runners on as they braved the punishing hills of Bradford and enjoyed the spectacular views over
the city.

The top five positions are shown as follows:

Full details can be viewed at www.bradfordcityrun.com

Andy Ross, Bradford Council Leisure Programmes Manager, said: “This year’s event was enjoyed by many runners and I’d like to offer congratulations to everyone who took part. The day was great fun for all involved – and thankfully the weather was slightly cooler than it has been of late!”

Important information about the Bradford City Run 2011 – Sunday 2 October

The Bradford City Run takes place this Sunday 2 October. There are two events this year: the 1/2 Marathon and the Fun Run. Both events start at 9am and full details are outlined below.

The 1/2 Marathon will follow the same route as last year, with the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Naveeda Ikram officially starting the race from the city centre close to the Alhambra Theatre. Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, Executive Member with responsibility for sport and leisure will also attend. Representing the event’s official charity partner, The Jane Tomlinson Appeal, will be Jane’s husband, Mike who is competing along with charity mascot, Tommo the Tortoise.

The 13.1 mile course provides a challenging experience for all runners with frequent hilly elevations and a 1:5 climb up the well-known Highgate Hill just before the 11 mile marker. Those who finish successfully will descend into the award-winning Lister Park for celebrations and the awards ceremony at 11.30am, which will be conducted by Coun Ikram.

The Fun Run also takes place in Lister Park and follows a slightly different format this year. The course has been set at 1km in a loop around the southern end of the park (see the event website for a detailed map – www.bradfordcityrun.com). Entrants can complete as many loops as they like between 9am and 10am making it suitable for people of all ages and abilities. The youngest
participant this year (to date) is only 16 months old and with the encouragement of her mother and the crowds, we are sure will complete her 1km challenge!

Although entries are no longer being taken by post and online, there are still places available on the day. Registration for the 1/2 Marathon is at the Alhambra Theatre between 7.00am and 8.30am, or at Lister Park between 8.15am and 9.30am for the Fun Run. Further details can be found online at www.bradfordcityrun.com

We look forward to seeing you on the day.

The Jane Tomlinson Appeal and Bradford City Run announce official partnership

The Bradford City Run is thrilled to announce its official charity for the 2011 event will be the Jane Tomlinson Appeal. The half marathon and fun run will be held on Sunday, October 2.

Established by the late Jane Tomlinson CBE, the charity raises funds for children’s and cancer charities across Yorkshire, the UK and around the world. To announce the charity as official partner, Jane’s husband Mike Tomlinson met with Bradford Council’s Andy Ross, Leisure Programmes Manager, in Lister Park today along with the Jane Tomlinson Appeal charity mascot, Tommo the Tortoise. Mike comments: “It’s an honour for us to be chosen as the benefiting charity for this year’s event and I’m looking forward to taking part in my first run for three years.”

The 13.2 mile Bradford City Run takes a scenic route around semi rural Thornton and Denholme – on the edge of Bronte land – up to Sandy Lane and back down to the glorious Lister Park where the race will end. The Council hopes to further cement last year’s success which attracted over 2,000 participants with families flocking to both Lister Park and the Alhambra Theatre to cheer on friends
and relatives.

Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, Bradford Council’s Executive Member responsible for sport and leisure, said: “The Bradford City Run has been a huge success over the past two years and enjoyed by many runners. The Jane Tomlinson Appeal carries out some great work in the district and further afield and being able to support such a wonderful cause only serves to make the occasion more worthwhile.”

Countdown to race day! Only two weeks to go until the Bradford City Run…

The Bradford City Run is rapidly approaching with all the registered participants eagerly in training for Sunday 2 October 2011! Preparations are now well underway with the finishing touches in place ready for the starting whistle to blow at 9am.

There’s still time to enter this year’s event, for anyone who hasn’t already registered. Keen runners can take part in the 1/2 Marathon which sets off from the city centre by the Alhambra Theatre; or for a more leisurely day out, the Fun Run in family-favourite Lister Park is ideal. Postal entries and online entries are being accepted until 26 September and on-the-day entries will also be accepted if
places are still available.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Naveeda Ikram, is looking forward to attending the event and cheering on the runners as well as rewarding the lucky winners with their prizes at the presentation ceremony which takes place at 11.30am in Lister Park.

Coun Ikram said: “The Bradford City Run is a terrific event and I’m really looking forward to getting behind everyone taking part.

“There is still time for people to sign up and I would urge as many people as possible to take on the 1/2 Marathon challenge or join in the Fun Run in Lister Park. I’m sure it will be a great day.”

This year’s Run is supported by official charity partner The Jane Tomlinson Appeal, raising funds for children’s and cancer charities and the Appeal welcomes all runners who would like to fundraise on their behalf. The Lord Mayor’s chosen charity for the coming year is Marie Curie Cancer Care, another very worthwhile cause which many people are keen to support.

For more information visit www.bradfordcityrun.com

Local schools challenged to get Bradford ‘up and running’ in this year’s City Run

The Bradford City Run 2011 – which is expected to be even bigger than last year – is challenging local schools to take part in the Fun Run Schools’ Challenge and get Bradford ‘up and running’. The event, which takes place on Sunday, October 2, will comprise a half-marathon following the same scenic route as last year as well as the Fun Run in Lister Park.

The school with the most participants on the day – including teachers – will not only be awarded the title ‘Best Running School of the Year’, but will also take home the magnificent Schools’ Cup for the year. The stunning silver cup, which was donated by Bradford University old boy Simon Price, was won last year by Grange Technology College.

Coun Ghazanfer Khaliq, Bradford Council’s Executive Member with responsibility for sport andleisure, said: “The City Run is a great opportunity for local schools to get involved and encourage children to pursue outdoor activities and enjoy regular exercise. It’s also a fun day for all involved – schools can opt to run in fancy dress or use the event as a way of raising funds for their chosen charity.”

The 13.1 mile run sets off from the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford city centre, takes a scenic route around semi-rural Thornton and Denholme before reaching Sandy Lane and heading back down to glorious Lister Park where the Fun Run and other entertainment will be held.

Entries can be made online via www.bradfordcityrun.co.uk, through the post or on the day itself. Taking part in the half-marathon will cost £18 and £6 for the fun run (£4 for under 16s).

Training schedules will be posted for participants on the website, which also contains full details about the course route and where to stay.

The Bradford City Run is organised as part of Bradford Gold, Bradford’s programme aimed at maximizing the Sporting, Cultural and Business benefits of the London 2012 Olympics.

Bradford gears up for the 2011 City Run

Organisers have revealed the date for the latest Bradford City Run which they hope will attract the biggest field of entrants yet. Thousands of runners are expected to sign-up for the event, which will take place on Sunday, October 2.

The half-marathon is well known for its scenic route, which reaches the edge of Brontë country. Almost 2,000 runners took part last year with thousands more spectators watching on.

Phil Barker, Bradford Council’s Assistant Director for Sport and Leisure, said: “We are thrilled that the City Run is back again for a third time and we hope to attract more entries than ever before.

“Last year’s event was great fun for all who got involved and the perfect opportunity for runners of all ages and abilities to experience some of Yorkshire’s most beautiful countryside.

“It’s great news that the run is growing in popularity year on year and starting to be recognised as a regular date in the running calendar.

“Many local and national charities benefit from fundraising by people taking part and we are confident everyone will step up to the challenge again.”

The 13.2 mile run sets off from the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford city centre, takes a scenic route around semi-rural Thornton and Denholme before reaching Sandy Lane and heading back down to glorious Lister Park. A 1k fun run will also take place in Lister Park.

Entries can be made online via www.bradfordcityrun.co.uk, through the post or on the day itself. Taking part in the half-marathon will cost £18 and the fun run £6, although there is an early-bird discount available.

Training schedules will be posted for participants on the website, which also contains full details about the course route and where to stay.

The Bradford City Run is organised as part of Bradford Gold, Bradford’s programme aimed at maximising the Sporting, Cultural and Business benefits of the London 2012 Olympics.

Bradford gears up for the 2011 City Run – calling all runners and sponsors!

Following on from the success of last year’s event, Bradford District Council has announced that the 2011 Bradford City Run will take place on Sunday 2 October.

The event which is now in its third year, and which attracted nearly 2,000 participants last year, will consist of a half-marathon along the same scenic route as 2010, as well as a fun run which will be staged in Lister Park.

The 13.2 mile half-marathon sets off from the Alhambra Theatre in the city centre, takes a scenic route around semi-rural Thornton and Denholme – on the edge of stunning Bronte countryside – up to Sandy Lane and back down to glorious Lister Park where the race ends.

Thousands of friends and families turned out last year to support the runners and it is expected that even more will take part and get involved this year. Entries officially open on Good Friday, 22 April 2011 and anyone looking for more information can go online at www.bradfordcityrun.co.uk

It’s a great opportunity for local businesses to get involved and show their support. There are a variety of sponsorship options available. Contact Wonderberry for more details on 020 7404 9594.

Golden opportunity for fundraisers at the Bradford 2010 Half Marathon

The London Marathon, the UK’s biggest fundraising event is over for another year. So now is the ideal time to start looking for new and exciting opportunities for your organisation.

The Bradford City Run, Sunday 17th October organised by Bradford Metropolitan District Council, is now in its second year and combines a number of events for runners of all abilities including:

• Half marathon
• Half marathon 4 person relay
• 5k fun run
• 3k and 1k children’s fun runs

As recently reported on the Guardian’s website, running in the UK is on the up. The most recent Sport England quarterly figures reveal that participation in athletics (including running and jogging) has increased by more than 215,000 to 1.827 million between the 2007/08 survey and the 2008/09 survey.

The increasing popularity of well organised, long distance running events can only be beneficial to both charities and the fitness of the nation as a new breed of running enthusiasts comes through.

With many bigger events over-subscribed, the Bradford City Run still has the capacity for expansion.  And if you join in now, as a loyalty bonus we’ll guarantee your places going forward*

With a start to the crowds in the city centre, its award winning Lister park (Britain’s Best Park 2006), undulating hills (including stimulating 1:4) and a route that skirts through the renowned Bronte countryside, the Bradford City Run really ticks all the boxes.

In the aftermath of the controversy surrounding Golden Bonds, the Bradford City Run represents an excellent mass participation event for all charities. Although the race’s official partner is ‘Age UK’, Bradford Council welcomes all charities to participate in encouraging their support to get fit and ‘get up and running’.

All tickets sold will be on face value only and are not for profit.

Bradford City Run takes place on Sunday 17th October 2010. To discuss your involvement in the event please contact: *Bradford City Run Marketing, Digi Berry on 020 7404 9594. The cost of an adult place is Half Marathon £15, Fun Run £5 and for Juniors 3K & 1K Races £5, Fun Run £2.
Visit www.bradfordcityrun.com for more information.

New race gets out of the starting blocks

PHOTOCALL: March 11, 10.15am. Front of Cartwright Hall. Lister Park. Bradford. Schoolchildren help launch new Bradford City Run.

A new half marathon is being launched this Autumn as a follow-up to last year’s successful Bradford City Run.

Bradford Council is staging a half marathon on October 17th combined with a a 5k fun run, and two children’s races covering 3k and 1k which will provide challenges for all ages.

The Council hopes to build on last year’s event which attracted a thousand participants with families flocking to both Lister Park and Centenary Square to cheer on friends and relatives.

The new 13.2 mile race takes a scenic route around semi rural Thornton and Denholme – on the edge of Bronte land – up to Sandy Lane and back down to the glorious Lister Park where the race will end.

To launch the new event a group of 120 schoolchildren from Heaton St Barnabas Primary School will be standing in the formation of the Bradford City Run logo at Lister Park.  Also present will be the winner of the 2009 men’s 5 mile race, Christopher Burke.

Mrs Gill Evans, headteacher at Heaton St Barnabas, said: “We were delighted to be involved in the launch of this race as it also includes children in a family fun 5k race that starts in Lister Park.”

Councillor Kris Hopkins, leader of Bradford Council, said: “The half marathon route builds on the successful event we held last year. The route is really scenic and I think people will enjoy the fact that it finishes in one of our most beautiful award-winning parks.”

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Executive Member for Environment & Culture, said: “The Bradford City Run was hugely successful and enjoyed by many runners. As organisers we have learnt a lot from the first event in 2009 and aim to improve the run this year.”