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England Masters international athletes

Golden oldies set to battle at Richmond RUNFEST

England Age Group Masters Competition adds lustre to Richmond RUNFEST

After a patient wait since qualifying in 2019, the England Age Group Masters Competition will be held over both 10K and half marathon distances, hosted by Richmond RUNFEST 2021 on 11-12 September. Following in the footsteps of the official British Olympic Marathon trial at Kew Gardens, these top-class athletes will finally be able to pull on the England vests they earned before the pandemic began.

The Age Group Masters programme was introduced to recognise and reward the significant contribution that older runners make to the sport and to earn themselves an England Age Group Masters vest. On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September, these athletes will finally get this opportunity and will be competing in the Kew Gardens 10K and Richmond Half Marathon against selected teams from the home nations. 

Tom Bedford, race director of Richmond RUNFEST, said: “Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, these amazing athletes have had to wait a long time to put on their well-earned England vest and race. However, we look forward to welcoming them to the beautiful Kew Gardens, where Chris Thompson and Steph Davis demonstrated its speed at the recent Olympic Marathon trial in March”.

Tom Craggs, England Athletics’ Road Running manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be hosting our England Masters representative races at the Kew Gardens 10K and Richmond Half Marathon this September. The England masters programme aims to provide recognition and competition for the best age group athletes in England. Working in partnership with the team at RUNFEST we look forward to bringing together over 200 of the best Masters athletes to race and compete over the flat, fast courses. It'll be an exciting weekend and we are looking forward to seeing a welcome return to mass races after an incredibly challenging 18 months”.

General public entries are still open for Richmond RUNFEST weekend but are selling fast. There are only 100 Richmond Half Marathon numbers remaining but other choices include the Visit Cayman Islands Sundown 5K, Kew Gardens 10K, and Richmond Marathon.

Combine any two of the four main races and you qualify for the coveted Goddess of Victory additional medal to add to the brilliant Olympic-themed medals for each individual event. 

For more information visit Richmond RUNFEST

Image: Courtesy Richmond RUNFEST

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