Sir Chris starts the Newham Anniversary Run

Britain’s most successful Olympian, Sir Chris Hoy, has been revealed as the official starter for The National Lottery Newham London Anniversary Run, which is back this year with a new course.

The mass participation run is being organised by Newham Council and The National Lottery, supported by the London Legacy Development Corporation and staged by Nova International.
This year’s event will take place on Sunday July 20 and will be a great way for runners to continue the celebration of London 2012’s legacy.

The five-mile course around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park takes in the Lee Valley VeloPark, London Aquatic Centre and the Copper Box Arena, before finishing next to the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

Competitors will also get the chance to see the athletes’ former base camp as they run through the EastVillage, as well as the beautiful new parklands and river ways.

Sir Chris was the starter at the inaugural run in 2013, which made a stunning debut at the former Olympic Stadium and was the first event to be staged there since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sir Chris said: “I’m honoured to be the starting The National Lottery Newham London Anniversary Run for the second year in a row. It will be really exciting to see all the runners on the new course, which takes in the VeloPark where I experienced some of the best moments of my career.

“This event is a great celebration of the National Lottery’s support for British sport, athletes and the community. I look forward to seeing lots of old faces and many new ones on the start line on July 20.”

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales said. “I look forward to welcoming all the runners participating in the race. This is an excellent event that showcases all Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has to offer. As the UK’s most decorated Olympian, it is fitting that Sir Chris Hoy should return to the park to start The National Lottery Newham London Anniversary Run.

“Through our involvement in this event, I have been able to offer 1,000 free places to Newham residents plus 300 places in the family run, all of which have been taken up. The run is one of many community events in the park available to residents, which I hope will help to inspire and encourage more people to take up sport. This delivers on my commitment to provide a lasting legacy from the 2012 Games for all Newham residents.”

Runners of all abilities will take part in the five-mile National Lottery Newham London Anniversary Run and there will be a shorter distance of 1.5 miles for children in the Family Run, where youngsters aged five and older can take part with an accompanying adult.

The event will return to the Stadium in 2015, when it reopens after the current redevelopment work, and those who get a place in this year’s run will automatically get priority for a place in 2015.

Andy Duncan, managing director of Camelot Lotteries Limited, operator of The National Lottery, said: “The National Lottery Anniversary Run was a huge success in 2013, and this year promises to be another fantastic occasion, with the new course around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

“We are looking forward to cheering on the thousands of runners at this fantastic mass participation event, which celebrates the legacy of London 2012 and the continued contribution of National Lottery players to both grass roots and elite sport.”

To enter the 2014 run go to www.anniversaryrun.com

Pictured: The start of the race last year. Picture: Newham Council,Andrew Baker