News27 Nov 2015


Athletics For A Better World provides 500 free World Half Marathon Champs places

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2015 Cardiff Half Marathon (© IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships Cardiff 2016 LOC)

As part of the IAAF’s Athletics for a Better World social responsibility programme, 500 entries for the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships Cardiff 2016 have been purchased and will be distributed free of charge, the local organising committee (LOC) announced on Friday (27).

They will be offered to Welsh communities and to enthusiastic new runners who would use the experience of training for and completing Cardiff 2016 to improve their health and well-being.

It is part of the commitment of the three main stakeholders in the event – the IAAF, event organiser Run 4 Wales and title sponsor Cardiff University – to promote running as an accessible physical activity that can improve long-term health. 

IAAF President Lord Seb Coe commented: “In 2014, the IAAF launched its social responsibility programme Athletics for a Better World to develop and promote athletics all around the world while inspiring social change.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the LOC and title sponsors of the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships.

“This is a unique opportunity for 500 people to discover what running is and to inspire them to continue their sporting activity.

“By activating projects that focus on the environment, health and social inclusion, the IAAF is committed to use athletics to help make the world a better place.”

Cardiff University Vice Chancellor Colin Riordan added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for people to be part of an international sporting event. We are looking to offer the 500 free places to people who may be thinking about running for the very first time. People who have never considered anything like this before or are excluded from sport due to cost, facilities, support, or just simply struggle with motivation.

“Runners will also have the opportunity to take part in a research project delivered through Cardiff University. The research will look to monitor the progress of the runners and investigate ways to reduce injury. We hope that the event will inspire many more people to take up running.”

The places will be distributed through social media, local running groups and links with Community First areas.

Cardiff University will then use the scheme for research on the effects and behaviour of those training for the event on 26 March.

For more information about how to apply for one of these places, visit the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships Cardiff 2016 LOC website: www.cardiff2016.co.uk

More information about Athletics for a Better World is available on this page of the IAAF website.

Cardiff 2016 LOC for the IAAF