Athletics For A Better World to give away 500 free Cardiff 2016 places – By Gareth Ludkin

Five hundred lucky runners are to be given the chance to run the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships, Cardiff 2016, for free.

As part of the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) ‘Athletics for a Better World’ social responsibility programme, 500 entries worth almost £30,000 have been purchased to be distributed free of charge.

They will be offered to targeted Welsh communities and to enthusiastic new runners who would use the experience of training for and completing Cardiff 2016 to improve their health and well-being.

It is part of the IAAF, event organiser’s Run 4 Wales and title sponsors Cardiff University’s commitment to promote running as an accessible physical activity that can improve long-term health.

IAAF President Lord Seb Coe, commented:

“In 2014 the IAAF launched its social responsibility programme, ‘Athletics for a Better World’ to develop and promote athletics all around the world while inspiring social change.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the LOC and title sponsors of the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships. This is a unique opportunity for 500 people to discover what running is and to inspire them to continue their sporting activity.

“By activating projects that focus on the environment, health and social inclusion, the IAAF is committed to use athletics to help make the world a better place.”

Colin Riordan, Vice Chancellor at title sponsors Cardiff University, said:

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people to be part of an international sporting event. We are looking to offer the 500 free places to people who may be thinking about running for the very first time. People who have never considered anything like this before or are excluded from sport due to cost, facilities, support, or just simply struggle with motivation.

“Runners will also have the opportunity to take part in a research project delivered through Cardiff University. The research will look to monitor the progress of the runners and investigate ways to reduce injury. Cardiff University are ranked 5^th in the UK for the quality of our research and 2^nd nationally for the impact of our research. We are delighted to bring our expertise to the table in support of these runners as the main sponsor for the IAAF/ Cardiff University World Half Marathon 2016 event.

“We hope that the event will inspire many more people to take up running.”

The spaces will be distributed through social media, local running groups and links with Community First areas. Cardiff University will then use the scheme for research on the effects and behaviour of those training for the event. In addition to the entry places, official IAAF partner adidas will offer 200 pairs of trainers and 500 technical t-shirts to runners taking part in the Athletics for a Better World scheme.

For more information about the Athletics for a Better World Scheme and how to apply for one of these spaces, visit www.cardiff2016.co.uk/abw500 or follow the event on Twitter @cardiff2016 and Facebook IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships 2016.

For more information about the Athletics for a Better World project visit https://www.iaaf.org/athletics-better-world.

Source:  Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships 2016.