PRESS RELEASE: MONDAY 18TH APRIL 2016

2017 VITALITY READING HALF MARATHON RACE DATE REVEALED

Race organiser Sweatshop has revealed the 2017 Vitality Reading Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 19 th

March. The event will see thousands of runner’s lace up and take to the start line for one of the fastest and

flattest half marathons in the country.

The 34th event will look to build on the success of this year’s race which saw more than 12,000 runners take

on the prestigious course, with many surpassing their personal best race times, raising thousands of pounds

for charitable causes and for the first time in the race’s history a Guinness World Record was set.

The world renowned route leads runners from Green Park, through the beautiful grounds of Reading

University and the bustling town centre to a momentous finish inside Reading Football Club’s 25,000 seater

Madejski Stadium. Sir John Madejski comments: “The stadium finish is a defining characteristic for this race

that sets it apart from the typical half marathon. It’s fantastic to be part of such an incredible event and we

thoroughly enjoy seeing the runners enter the stadium and run towards that finish line to the sounds of a

cheering crowd.”

Judith Manson, Race Director, comments: “Reading has always played host to a fantastic event with so many

dedicated runners crossing the finish line as first timers, charity fundraisers and seasoned elites. It’s exciting

to have secured the date for next year, especially after such a successful race earlier this month! We’ve had a

huge amount of positive feedback and we look forward to welcoming back loyal returners as well as

newcomers to the running community.”

Early bird discount is available for those who sign up for 2017 Vitality Reading Half Marathon and the Green

Park Schools’ Challenge. Entries open at 8am on Monday 18th April 2016.

Early bird entry prices:

Half Marathon: £39 (UKA affiliated club runners) / £45 for all other runners.

Charity Champions: £65

Green Park Challenge: £9

All races include a fantastic medal and finisher bag at the finish.

To keep up with the latest race developments and to secure your place please visit

www.readinghalfmarathon.com

~ENDS~

PRESS ENQUIRIESSophie NelsonPromote PR01628 507661Sophie.nelson@promotepr.com

Editor’s notes:

Race organiser, Sweatshop:

The UK’s largest specialist running retailer with shops nationwide. Sweatshop was founded by Olympic

Champion Chris Brasher in 1971, with the aim to give every runner, from absolute beginner to international

athlete, access to the very best equipment, supported by free gait analysis, sports bra fitting service and much

more. Sweatshop’s first responsibility is to the runner and their mission is to help you Be The Best You Can

Be. Sweatshop has been voted the ‘Best Retailer’ by readers of Runner’s World for eight years in succession

including 2014. On top of this the store has been recognised in the 2014 Running Awards as the Best eTailer

and Best Large Retailer.

Sweatshop staff are committed to providing outstanding customer service and to support this Sweatshop

provides an extensive professional development training programme for all their staff including biomechanics,

customer service, breast health and sports bra fitting.`

For more information visit www.sweatshop.co.uk

Sweatshop staff are committed to providing outstanding customer service and to support this Sweatshop

provides an extensive professional development training programme for all their staff including biomechanics,

customer service, breast health and sports bra fitting. The Sweatshop Running Community is free to join and

the free weekly runs open to all ages and abilities see people rewarded for running regularly.

www.sweatshop.co.uk

Vitality - the game changer for health and life insurance:

Vitality is the new name for PruHealth and PruProtect. Vitality is insurance that rewards you for being healthy.

As well as protecting you when things go wrong with award-winning health and life insurance, it also helps

you lead a healthier life – meaning you don’t have to claim to be able to benefit. It’s the way insurance should

be.

Vitality has partnered with a number of Vitality Ambassadors, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sebastian Coe and Jonny

Wilkinson, who are role models that embody the values of Vitality. They are all using their passion for living a

healthy lifestyle to motivate others to make positive changes. Taking small steps today can dramatically

improve wellbeing over the long-term, regardless of your current state of health.

VitalityHealth and VitalityLife

VitalityHealth is one of the UK’s leading private medical insurers which have pioneered a new type of cover –

Lifestyle Health Insurance. As well as providing first class cover and clinical care for when people are ill, it

focuses equally on prevention and keeping people fit and healthy. It launched in the UK in 2004 as a joint

venture between two large international financial services companies – Prudential plc and Discovery, a South

African listed company operating in the USA, China and Singapore as well as the UK and South Africa

www.vitality.co.uk/health.

VitalityLife was launched in September 2007 as an extension of the joint venture between Prudential and

Discovery. One of the fastest growing life insurers in the UK, it is unique to the current UK protection market,

and its suite of products includes Life Cover, Income Protection Cover and severity based Serious Illness Cover,

additional benefits and Business Protection. By recognising people's efforts to look after themselves,

VitalityLife is able to offer a more comprehensive set of benefits than traditional providers at a very

competitive price www.vitality.co.uk/life.