Pavey Official Starter for Brighton
The Grounded Events Company is delighted to announce that Jo Pavey (handicap -1.7) will be the Official Starter for the 2015 Brighton Marathon.
Jo hit the heights this summer to win her first major title when she scorched to 10000m gold at the European Championships in Zurich. That win came just 10 days after she had claimed Commonwealth Games bronze in Glasgow over 5000m.
“Jo is not only a fantastic athlete but an inspiration to us all because she manages to combine a normal family life with all the demands an athlete faces,” said Brighton Marathon Founder Tim Hutchings.
“Having tried everything over the years to win that elusive gold medal, she now recognises that the secret ingredient to her most successful year ever is a happy family life that has given her the emotional strength and stability to help her achieve the highest honours.”
Both Jo’s medals came at the grand old age of 40 when most athletes have long hung up their spikes. Her win in Zurich made her the oldest female European champion in history and came just 10 months after giving birth to her second child.
After a distinguished career spanning 26 years Jo still has no immediate plans to retire and is looking forward eagerly to yet another World Championship campaign in 2015.
Her astonishing late flowering has placed her on the short list for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year and has already scooped the British Athletics Writers’ Female Athlete of the year accolade.
Apart from fulfilling her duties as starter for the Brighton Marathon and BM10k on Sunday April 12th, Jo will also be sending over 3000 Mini Milers on their way the day before.
Before the main events, Jo will be attending the two-day Brighton Marathon Exhibition which features the sport’s favourite brands, a choice of exciting competitions and the chance for an early bird entry to the 2016 Brighton Marathon.
The Brighton Marathon Weekend gathers pace with the Mini Mile on Saturday when thousands of enthusiastic youngsters take over Preston Park roared on by eager parents.
Everything comes to a peak on Sunday with ecstatic crowds and fantastic on-course entertainment and thousands of runners seeking a personal best over the BM10k or the Marathon itself.
And when it is all over runners can celebrate with family and friends at the Beach Village enjoying food and drink while watching live coverage from the comfort of a deckchair.
The Brighton Marathon takes place on Sunday April 12 2015.