If you (like the vast majority of the capital city) have became rather fond of pounding the pavements recently, I come bearing some news that’ll be right up your street athletics track. Whilst it may have only been mere moments since the arrival of a shiny new half marathon in east London was announced; it seems as though south London is hot on Shoreditch‘s heels. Because yet another new 13.1-mile running event will be zooming into the capital city soon, and this one has been created by the organisers of the largest half marathon in the world.
South London’s new half marathon
The new race on the block will land in London early next year, courtesy of Merton Council and the Great Run Company (the brains behind the legendary Great North Run). The exact race-route is yet to be revealed, but the event is expected to start and end in Morden Park and involve thousands of runners hotfooting it through the leafy likes of Morden, Mitcham and Wimbledon.
The event will be suitable for runners of all ages and abilities. So, whether you’re an avid athlete or are simply dusting off your running vest and hoping for the best; this new half marathon is set to be one of the most exhilarating additions to London’s jam-packed calendar of running events.
A whole host of local sports clubs and community groups are expected to get involved with the event. There will be fundraising opportunities for local charities as well as a free 5k race to ensure that everybody can get in on the action.
It won’t just be endorphins that the race will be boosting, either. The sheer number of runners and spectators that’ll be attending is also set to give the local economy a rather hefty injection of cash. An independent economic impact study has forecasted an annual economic boost of up to £1.7 million in local business. Blimey.
Councillor Ross Garrod, leader of Merton Council, said: “Merton is on a mission to become London’s Borough of Sport, which means putting sport at the heart of everything we do. Our new half-marathon will be a flagship moment in that journey, showcasing how sport can bring communities together, open doors to healthier lifestyles, and help put Merton on the map as a destination for major mass-participation events.”