FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edinburgh Marathon Festival CEO Passes Away
Geoff Sims, the founder of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival has passed away
at the age of 46.
The man who was responsible for making the Edinburgh Marathon the biggest
mass participation running event in Scotland and the second largest
marathon in the UK died from cancer on Friday 10 December.
On behalf of the EMF team, Race Director Neil Kilgour said, "We as a team
have been privileged to have worked with and had as a friend a loving
individual who will be very much missed by us all."
"His legacy is the positive impact that he had on all who worked with him
as well as the knowledge that he has put in place a team that will continue
to deliver world class events that raise significant money for the charity
sector."
Geoff's inspirational leadership has seen the Edinburgh Marathon grow from
attracting 3,000 participants in 2003 to become one of the biggest events
in the nation's capital, which is on target to reach a new total of 30,000
entrants taking part in a weekend festival of running events in May 2011.
Born and bred in Derbyshire, living latterly in North Berwick for the past
10 years, he was also responsible for developing a new race distance, the
Kilomathon series which has taken place in England and Scotland as well as
a number of other races hosted across the UK.
Starting his career working with Youth and Homeless Charities, Geoff's
forte was helping charities with their fundraising activity. Having raised
in excess of £3 million annually for over 380 charitable causes in recent
years, his events continue to raise revenue and support for charities such
as Oxfam, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Hope for Children,
and Rainbow's Children Hospice.
Geoff leaves behind his parents, sisters, brothers, partner Lorna and his
children Michael, Rebekah and Joe.
The funeral will take place in Derby on Tues 21 Dec at 1.45pm at the
Community Church, The Riverside Centre, Riverside Rd, Pride Park, Derby
DE24 8HY. Followed by cremation at 3.20pm Markeaton Crematorium, Markeaton
Lane, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 4NH.
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