STUDENTS will organise next year’s Coventry Half Marathon when it returns to the city’s streets on March 18.
Coventry University Students’ Union will be responsible for the management and delivery of the popular event, which last year attracted 4,500 runners for both the main half-marathon and the Dol-y-Moch mile.
The move follows the expiry of a contract for the Council to deliver the event, which is why the decision has been made to hand the organisational reins to the Students’ Union.
The Union will be responsible for the management and delivery of the event. They will receive support from partners associated with the running community across the city and the Council.
Should the event prove successful, the initial one-year agreement could be extended by a further two years.
A Council spokesperson said: “We believe it provides a sound and practical way forward to ensure we will have another great event for Coventry.
“The University has become a key partner in the ongoing development and prosperity of the city’s growth so clearly it makes sense to continue to work in partnership to the mutual benefit of both parties.
“As a Council, we will maintain an overview through regular discussions and offer advice and support based on our own experience of delivering the event.”
Councillor Abdul Khan, deputy leader and cabinet member responsible for events, said: “We welcome the news that the event will be taking place in March and we are very supportive of the event progressing in this way.
“We want to build on the successes of last year, in particular the engagement of local partners involved in the delivery of this year’s event and the new partnerships that have been formed to ensure another great event for the city.
“We were very aware that event partners were keen to develop and build the local model which would enhance the feeling that Coventry’s Half Marathon is being delivered by the people of the city.”
John Abell, general manager at Coventry University Students’ Union, said the union is delighted to be organising the event.
He added: “We know our students enjoyed helping with the event last year and believe this is a great way to support the city’s sports strategy.
“We hope to make lots of money for Coventry charities and involve many Coventry organisations in the delivery of the event.”
Registration for the event will open soon.
To find out more, search Coventry Half Marathon on Facebook and Twitter.
