ABP have given local children the opportunity to be a part of a new era for distance running in Wales at the ABP Newport Wales Marathon & 10K.
The event’s title sponsor have donated free places for the Family Mile to local schools ahead of an historic day for the city on Sunday. Students from St Julian’s Primary, Lliswerry Primary and Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd will all get their first taste of a mass-participation event during a festival day of running along the Riverfront.
More than 6,000 runners will take-on the flat, fast 26.2 mile course while another 4,000 will take in some of Newport’s most iconic landmarks on a shortened 10K route.
Sunday’s fun-runners will then have the chance to warm-up with Welsh track legend Christian Malcolm before setting off on the mile loop from the same start-line as the marathon runners. They will be led along the River Usk before experiencing the same atmosphere as the elite competitors in-front of hundreds of spectators at the finish.
Ralph Windeatt, Port Manager & Head of Commercial at ABP South Wales, said: “ABP are proud to support events in the local community and what better place to inspire the next generation than at the inaugural ABP Newport Wales Marathon & 10K. We hope this taster of mass-participation racing can give these youngsters the platform to continue a healthy and active lifestyle.
“Running in the footsteps of elite marathon athletes will be an unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to see the smiles on their faces when they cross the finish line in-front of hundreds of cheering spectators.”
Christian Malcolm & his academy will host the warm-up from 12.15 before the race gets underway 15 minutes later. Each finisher will be rewarded with a bespoke medal to show-off to their school friends on Monday morning.
Run 4 Wales Chief Executive Matt Newman said: “Our title sponsor ABP have played a key role in bringing a new premier marathon event to Wales. We are confident everyone from elite runners to charity runners will have an unforgettable experience at the first of many ABP Newport Wales Marathon and 10K events.
“It is great to see local children given the chance to take their place on the start line as a new chapter of distance running gets underway. We hope to see these youngsters leading the way in the near future.”