The 2019 tour will be a part of the newly announced charity, The Running Bee Foundation, which was founded by Sports Tours International. The foundation provides grants to community initiatives across Manchester and surrounding areas to promote health and wellbeing and the fight to tackle and reduce childhood obesity.

Launched towards the end of last year, the foundation was set up in honour of Mo Done, a true Salfordian who had supported many Manchester charities as well as playing an integral part in the development of Sports Tours International.

Working to support the initiative for this year’s event will be supermarket supplier Kerry Foods, national specialist running retailer Up & Running, North West housing provider Jigsaw Group, Tameside’s leisure facilities Active Tameside, Tameside Reporter and Tameside Radio, Oldham-based O’Donnell solicitors, Glossop’s ale brewer’s Howard Town Brewery and local school equipment supplier Davies Sports.

Kevin Harmer, UK Events & Sponsorship Manager at The Running Bee Foundation said: “We’re pleased to welcome past and new partners to the tour this year. It’s a big year for us as all our UK events are now part of The Running Bee Foundation, which will see all the profits from the events go back into local community health and wellbeing projects and initiatives that focus on reducing childhood obesity.

Kevin continued: “All our partners really understand our events and each have the perfect offering for our runners whether that be their expertise or local support for Tameside’s communities.’’

The iconic Tour has witnessed a remarkable revival since being reintroduced by Sports Tour International. This year’s event kicks off on Thursday 13 June through to Sunday 16 June—entries for which are available here.