Grand East Anglia Run added to Run For All calendar for 2017
The Grand East Anglia Run (Gear) 10K is set for a change of pace in 2017, as new organisers Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All take over its staging.
The not-for-profit company has entered into a partnership with Alive Leisure and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk to run the annual event which next year takes place on Sunday 30 April.
Entries for 2017 are now open at http://www.runforall.com/gear10k/ or http://www.grandeastangliarun.co.uk/
Run For All is part of the lasting legacy of the late Jane Tomlinson CBE who raised almost £2m for charity through a series of endurance challenges, despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer.
Its stable of events already includes successful 10Ks in Leeds, Lincoln, Sheffield, York, Hull, Burnley, Bury and Nottingham, the Leeds Half Marathon, Yorkshire Half Marathon-Sheffield and the Yorkshire Marathon in York.
Run For All, working with Alive Leisure and the council, aims to build on the event’s current success to make the running festival even bigger and better in future years.
The new partnership – which will see the event renamed the Asda Foundation Gear 10K - was officially announced by Norfolk-born former England, Manchester City and Leeds United footballer Danny Mills.
Danny, who also starred on Celebrity Masterchef and is a pundit on TV and radio, said: “It’s really exciting news that the Gear 10K will be added to Run For All’s successful series of events.
“Run For All events are always fantastic fun and are brilliant at encouraging people of all abilities to take part.
“I know the Gear 10K is already really popular and I hope that in 2017 even more people will come and take a run at it - and help to support some fantastic local and regional charities.”
Cllr Elizabeth Nockolds, Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage and Health, said: “Since the first event in 2006, we have watched the Grand East Anglia Run (GEAR) 10K grow and grow.
“We are delighted to now have the experience and expertise of the Run For All team on board to ensure that the event continues to grow and continues to attract people from across the country to King’s Lynn.
“We are delighted that the ethos of the team very much matches our own and encourages people to take up running as part of a healthy, active lifestyle and encourages people to raise money for a range of local and regional good causes. This partnership is an excellent step forward for the race.”
Run For All Events Manager Lynne Preston said: “We are delighted to be given the opportunity to work in partnership with Alive Leisure and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk on such a fantastic event.
“With its proud heritage and wonderful historic buildings, King’s Lynn provides the perfect backdrop for a successful 10K.
“We are confident that, with support from Alive Leisure and the council, we can further develop an event that already enjoys a fine reputation. The Grand East Anglian Run will be a tremendous addition to our existing series of 10Ks and we are already looking forward to next April’s event.”
Asda Foundation Senior Manager Julie Ward said: “We’re thrilled to be able to add another exciting 10K to the Asda Foundation 10K Series; especially in the beautiful and bustling town of King’s Lynn.
“We look forward to welcoming runners old and new in 2017!”
Also new for 2017 is the launch of the Bespak Gear 10K Corporate Challenge where companies will battle it out to be crowned the fastest firm in the race. Entry is open to teams of five or more and includes hospitality and other benefits.
And it will also see the return of the popular Bespak Mini Gear - a 1.2-mile fun run for people of all ages and abilities (entrants must be 6 years and up) from Tuesday Market Place. Every finisher will receive a Mini GEAR medal and a goody bag to show off their achievements.
Keyvan Djamarani, Managing Director of Bespak, said: “Bespak has sponsored and supported the Great East Anglia Run for over 10 years and is extremely proud of its success as a key event in the King’s Lynn and surrounding region where our employees and their families live and work.
“In 2017, Run For All will be organising and managing the event and we are sure that they will continue to build on the success that the Gear has enjoyed and that it will be a fun and enjoyable event for all those whom attend as participants, organisers, supporters or spectators.
“Bespak is proud to be associated with Gear 10K and sponsoring the Mini Gear and the Gear 10K Corporate Challenge event. We hope it is going to be great atmosphere and that the whole community enjoys the event and that it becomes yet another memorable fun filled day.”
Peter Lemon, Chairman of Alive Leisure, said: “We are pleased that the future of the Gear 10K is secure with Run for All, and we are delighted to be working alongside them to make the Gear 10K and Bespak Mini Gear bigger and better.
“This is such a major healthy event and we are extremely pleased to be involved.”
The 2017 run route will follow the same as the popular 2016 course, which takes in the town centre, the River Ouse pathway, The Walks and a number of iconic, historical buildings such as the Red Mount, the Custom House and Greyfriars Tower.
Entrants in the 10K can run for fun, for a personal challenge or for a good cause of their choice. They are especially encouraged to support the event’s official partner charities which will be announced shortly.
People who don’t wish to take part in the event are being encouraged to offer their support by volunteering. A number of roles will be available, from giving out goody bags and water to marshalling the course. More details can be found at http://www.runforall.com/volunteer