University named as title partner of World Half Marathon event
26 March 2015
The University has been announced as title partner for a major athletics event that will attract many
of the world's best runners to Cardiff.
The IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships take place in the city on Easter Saturday, 26 March 2016.
It
will be the biggest half marathon to be held in Wales and the most
significant athletics event hosted in the country since the 1958 British
Empire
and Commonwealth Games.
Vice-Chancellor
Professor Colin Riordan said: "We're delighted to be the title partner
for this prestigious athletics event which has such a wide international
appeal.
"It
is an opportunity to showcase both the city of Cardiff and the
University as we welcome elite athletes, 25,000 runners in the mass
race, large numbers
of spectators and a big international TV audience.
"Our
involvement will go beyond simply providing sponsorship. Public health
is a major part of our work. We not only undertake world-leading
research
in this area, but we also train the people who will become the
healthcare professionals of the future.
"This
is a wonderful platform for bringing together people from the health
sector and from our local communities to promote the benefits of a
healthy,
active lifestyle.
"There will be opportunities for students and staff from all parts of the University to get involved."
The prestigious World Athletics Series event will bring more than 300 top athletes to Cardiff's flat and fast course,
as well as hosting a mass participation race for up to 25,000 amateur runners from around the world.
Entries for the mass participation race have opened and are expected to sell out fast. Runners can sign up via www.cardiff2016.co.uk.
Speaking
about the partnership, Matt Newman CEO of the IAAF/Cardiff University
World Half Marathon Championships Organising Committee, said: "With one
year to go we're both thrilled and excited that Cardiff University has
become title partner to this global sporting event.
"We recognise the respective contributions that our organisations make in creating a more active population and
look forward to developing this shared vision.
"With television coverage expected in more than 100 countries, Cardiff 2016 will also enhance Cardiff University's
international profile and we look forward to working together to maximise this once-in–a-lifetime opportunity."