Press Release - The Edinburgh Marathon - 12/1/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        Edinburgh Marathon entries set to close within 3 weeks
Set to overtake Glasgow's Great Scottish Run as largest race in Scotland

Entries to the 2010 Edinburgh Marathon are set to close within the next 
three weeks.  The entry limit for the 2010 marathon has been increased by 
1,000 entries to 12,500 to accommodate the over whelming interest in the 
marathon.  The uptake in places for the forthcoming event has yet again far 
outstripped all expectations.  

Even with a full six months to go to race day standard entries in the 
marathon are set to close within the next three weeks.  Entries have 
already passed the 10,000 mark and are coming in at over 100 per day. With 
the usual last minute rush to get places organisers expect standard 
marathon places to close around the 20th December 2009. 

Damien O'Looney, Marketing Director for the marathon, said:

"The Edinburgh Marathon has been firmly establishing itself as a must-run 
race for UK marathon runners.  The growing popularity of our marathon has 
led to it growing fourfold since we started the race in 2003 when we had 
3,000 runners.  

The marathon organisers have also set aside 2,500 charity places which will 
be available until 14th April 2010. Charity runners must agree to raise 
between £500 and £1,000 for the charity of their choice.  

The Edinburgh Marathon, now firmly established as the second largest 
marathon in the UK, behind the Virgin London Marathon, is now set to 
overtake the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow as the biggest running event in 
Scotland.  The Great Scottish Run half-marathon and 10k got 20,868 entrants 
in their September 2009 event.  The Edinburgh Marathon, the new Scottish 
Half Marathon and ever popular Hairy Haggis Team Relay, which will all take 
place on the 23rd May 2010, is set to receive 23,400 entrants in 2010 
making it the largest running event in Scotland. 

Geoff Sims, Chief Executive for the marathon said:

"I am delighted that we are set to become the largest running event in 
Scotland. I am looking forward to welcoming over 20,000 runners from over 
50 countries to participate in the festival marathon in the festival city. 
We are planning a whole host of entertainment to make it a truly festival 
experience."

For more information please visit www.edinburgh-marathon.com
  

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