Press Release 24/01/08     
                            
Superstar Tanni backs the Redcar Half Marathon

Gold medallist Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson is giving her backing to one of the North East’s premier sports events this Spring.

Britain’s best-known Paralympic star is supporting the 26th Tees Valley Leisure Redcar Half Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 20 April.

Dame Tanni will be taking part in a photo-call on Friday 25th January at 12.45pm at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar to promote the event.

Paddy Corcoran, managing director of Tees Valley Leisure – which runs leisure centres in Redcar and Cleveland – and organiser of the run, said: “We’re thrilled to have such a prestigious sporting superstar backing our run.

“Last year we had around 1500 runners and we hope to see at least this many participants this year. The event will also include a 3 kilometre Family Fun Run for the first time, and we hope that over 500 adults and children will use this event as a kick start to a healthier lifestyle.”

The event builds on TVL’s relationship with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council who organised the half marathon successfully for a number of years. 

“We’re encouraging some elite participation in the men's race this year and across the board as the race develops in coming years,” said Paddy.

The event will include presenters and music from TFM and Magic 1170 radio, children’s rides and food stalls, all based on the Kirkleatham Museum and showground site.

Sponsors are Tees Valley Leisure, Northumbrian Water, Mizuno, Redcar & Cleveland PCT, TFM, Hatton Traffic and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.  The event’s nominated charities are Zoe's Place, the MS Centre, South Bank and Make A Child Smile.

Alistair Baker of Northumbrian Water said: “We’re delighted to support the Redcar Half Marathon and Family Fun Run by providing our bottled tap water for the participants. 

“One of the ways that we exercise our community involvement in our supply area is by supporting events that encourage people to get involved in physical activity, while promoting the importance of drinking water as part of a healthy lifestyle.

“We should all aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to replace the fluids our bodies lose – more when we're exercising.  Staying well hydrated helps improve physical performance - just a two per cent loss of body water can result in a ten per cent drop in physical and mental performance."

Entry forms for the Half Marathon are available now via the Tees Valley website and the Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council website and from the TFM website from next week, or to collect from any Tees Valley Leisure Centre.  Family Fun Run entry forms will be available from 11 February as above and will also be circulated to all primary schools in Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.

Media Enquiries: Sheila Chapman, Sheila Chapman PR tel 07732 827 486 scpr@btopenworld.com   

* Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson facts:  
▪   Her last competitive race was the 200m at the 2007 VISA Paralympic World cup
▪   She has become one of the world’s most admired and respected sportswomen and is regarded as Britain’s greatest ever Paralympian, having won a total of 11 gold medals.
▪   Tanni has been recognised by sporting organizations worldwide for her sporting achievements
▪   Already a holder of the OBE and MBE,  Tanni, a double Paralympic champion was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2005 New Years Honours List.