Loughborough University is to stage a mass participation 5000 metres road race on its picturesque campus on Sunday 3rd March.

Organised by Loughborough Sport and Loughborough Students Athletics Club, the route will pass some of the University’s landmark buildings and sports facilities, finishing at the new Loughborough University Stadium. All roads will be closed to traffic throughout the event.

The event is open to students and staff members of the University, alongside members of the local community and the running fraternity.

Supporting the event is the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Allison, who said:

“The University is extremely proud to be able to hold its first ever 5000 metres road race on our campus. It is a great opportunity to challenge your friends, team members and colleagues in a fun, mass participation event.”

Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead and Loughborough Sports Scholar Guy Learmonth (both pictured) are also supporting the event.

Guy, who competed at the UK Indoor Championships at the weekend, said:

“This is a great opportunity for everyone; staff, students and the community alike, to give them a personal goal for the race. With such a fantastic, testing route along traffic free roads then it is a great event to take part in.”

Prices to enter are £8 for affiliated club members, £10 for non-affiliated runners and £6 for staff and students of the University. All finishers will receive a free goody bag upon completion of the race.

The event is the latest initiative from the My Lifestyle campaign, which aims to encourage more students and staff members to be physically active and take part in sport.

Dawn Cooper, Project Coordinator for the My Lifestyle campaign, said:

“This is the first of hopefully many more mass participation events on campus that really allows everyone to be involved.

“The My Lifestyle programme is in its first year and has made to a great start, involving over 1000 students and staff in a variety of sports activities over the course of last term.

“We hope this event will get even more people involved and inspire them to participate in sport and exercise on a more regular basis as part of a healthy lifestyle.”

Registration to collect your numbers and timing chip will take place from 9.00am onwards at the Loughborough University Stadium. The start time of the race is 10.00am.

Parking and facilities will be available at Holywell Park, Loughborough University.

Full details and online entry is available at:
http://loughboroughsport.com/my-workout/my-run/

You can follow the event on Twitter through the hashtag #jointhe5000

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