A three year contract to operate a city wide Marathon has been awarded to the company behind the world’s largest series of running events, Competitor Group.
The US-based company will hold the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Liverpool Marathon & ½ Marathon on Bank Holiday Sunday, May 25, 2014.
The concept – in which live bands perform at each mile of the route and runners celebrate their accomplishment with a post-race concert at the finish line – has proven to be tremendously popular in major cities around the world including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC. More than 500,000 people participate in an international running series each year.
Liverpool has secured exclusivity on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Festival, and will be the only UK city to host the event over the lifetime of the deal – during which time it is hoped to grow to attract 10,000 runners and include a city wide festival atmosphere that encourages local and visitor participation
It is expected to provide a huge boost to the city’s economy by attracting at least 750 international runners and their families – many from the United States.
Competitor Group, the city council and Marketing Liverpool will also work closely with local businesses to make sure they can make the most of the event and the additional footfall it is expected to bring in to the city.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “It is a real coup for Liverpool to have secured the services of the Competitor Group.
“They have a fantastic track record in putting on top quality, exciting events that have a distinctly local flavour and attract large numbers of competitors and spectators from near and far.
“Liverpool is known the world over for music and sport, and there is nowhere better to bring them both together than our city.”
The event will start and finish at the waterfront and, although the route is yet to be finalised, is expected to take in major landmarks including the football stadia and some of the city’s most beautiful parks.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & ½ Marathon will also showcase the city’s rich and diverse culture and heritage, with music of different types being performed by local artists
Tom Godfrey from the Competitor Group said: “The addition of this event is exciting because we will now be able to offer runners around the world an amazing destination in the UK.
“The May timing for a marathon works perfectly with our international event schedule and we are look forward to welcoming runners, their friends and their families to Liverpool next year.”
Entries will open from Thursday, September 5, 2013 at http://runrocknroll.competitor.com and people can like the event on http://Facebook.com and follow it on http://twitter.com/RunRocknRoll
