It has been confirmed that Schools Half Marathon, part of Schools Running Movement by UK Run Events, will launch in Merseyside in 2020.

Schools Half Marathon will be working with a newly formed Merseyside alliance partnership developed specifically for Merseyside delivery of the movement.

Schools Half Marathon Merseyside is set to benefit more than just the children taking part, with a legacy programme as part of the movement where a set amount per registered child will be donated into a fund to help support athlete development and talent within the region.

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The Merseyside alliance partnership is formed between The Wirral Sports Forum, Wirral AC, Edsential and The Wirral Schools Association, and the special fund has been established under the management of Wirral AC where all donations from Schools Half Marathon Merseyside will be invested for legacy development.

The final 1.1-mile event will take place on Tuesday 28th April 2020 at Aintree Racecourse, home to the world famous Grand National, which will make a thrilling venue for the many hundreds of children expected to take part in the event.

Schools Half Marathon is an inclusive and non-competitive movement where youngsters are encouraged to develop healthy habits to exercise regularly, whilst being rewarded along the way. The event on 28th April will see primary school aged pupils from across Merseyside complete the final 1.1 miles of their cumulative Schools Half Marathon, having run the initial 12 miles at school over the course of a term of half term.

On race day the children will be treated to a full race experience, including bibs, a technical t-shirt, a marshalled 1.1-mile route, music, commentator and a finish line gantry. As they cross the finish line they will receive a well-earned medal and a carton of One Water whilst celebrating the fantastic achievement of having run their very own cumulative half marathon.

Primary schools across Merseyside will be contacted directly to take part in this exciting and potentially life-changing movement coming to their local area. The cost of £12 per pupil represents effective spending of the Sports & PE Premium and includes a tracker chart, wristband, technical t-shirt, medal and race day attendance for every participant.

Schools Half Marathon Co-Founder and Race Director Joe Williams commented, “We are delighted to confirm that Schools Half Marathon will take place in Merseyside in April 2020. Schools Half Marathon by UK Run Events has grown considerably over the last year and it is fantastic to enable even more primary school pupils to achieve something as significant as their very own half marathon.

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“We are looking forward to working with the alliance and The Wirral Sports Forum to deliver this new regional event. Schools Half Marathon Merseyside is a fantastic way to encourage movement and activity among school pupils whilst supporting local athletic and talent development.”

Ronan Kearney from the Sports Forum added, “We are very excited to be working with Schools Half Marathon bringing the movement to Merseyside from the next school year onwards. Many thanks to Wirral AC, Edsential and Wirral Schools Association for their support and as an alliance we are very excited to see this develop and benefit Merseyside as an active region with a legacy programme that we will work on together.”

Schools Half Marathon Merseyside takes place at Aintree on Tuesday 28th April 2020. Follow the event by liking Schools Running Movement by UK Run Events on Facebook and follow UK Run Events on Twitter and Instagram.

For more information or for any school, parent or guardian wishing to register for this event, visit their  website here or email merseyside@schoolshalfmarathon.co.uk directly.

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