The Festival takes place over two days and introduces a 5k alongside the Half Marathon and Children’s Mile.
On Saturday 23 March, the Children’s Mile and Toddler Dash will take place around Memorial Park before 4,000 runners take to the streets on Sunday 24 March in both the Coventry Half Marathon and the inaugural Go Run 5k to raise tens of thousands of pounds for local charities.
The Festival has partnered with four local charities, Zoe’s Place, Myton Hospice, Penny Appeal, and University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, all of whom will offer charity places for the event, and is supported by Coventry Runner and Medwell Hyde.
The expanded event coincides with Coventry’s term as an ACES European City of Sport and the city’s Year of Wellbeing.
Event Organiser Millie McCaughrean from Coventry University Students’ Union, said: “This event highlights how sport can be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability.
“Whether you’re an absolute beginner taking part in your first 5k, a more experienced runner taking on the Half Marathon, or still in school there’s an opportunity for you.
“The Festival of Running is a great chance for Coventry to come together to celebrate and enjoy taking part in sport.”
Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Events at Coventry City Council, said: “I’m delighted to hear that the annual Coventry Half Marathon will be part of an expanded bigger community festival because we are European City of Sport in 2019.
“With the half marathon now an established part of the city’s event calendar, it’s great the weekend will be extended by hosting a ‘Festival of Running’ with additional events.
“The additional 5k event alongside the Children’s Mile and Toddler Dash events will, I’m sure, encourage more people and communities to get active and be healthy which can only be good news in our bid to get more people moving.”
Entries for the Half Marathon open at noon on October 9th 2018, entries for the 5k will be open at noon on October 16th 2018.
More information can be found at www.enjoycoventry.com/festivalofrunning or by searching for Coventry Half Marathon on social media.
