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More places
released for sell out City Centre race
DEMAND for entries to the
popular Chester Half Marathon has been so high over recent weeks,
that an extra 1,000 places have been released to ensure those hoping
to run this year don't miss out. Entries were originally
limited to 5,000 for the 13.1 mile City Centre race, but recent
weeks have seen such an influx in sign-ups, that organisers have
managed to negotiate the additional places for those still wanting
to take part.
Despite the ongoing wintery weather, the end of March saw entries
pick up to between 150 and 200 per day, leaving race organisers to
predict that these newly released places will sell out by this
weekend.
Chris Hulse, Joint Race Organiser from Active Leisure Events,
commented:- "We have seen a flurry of sign-ups over recent
weeks and judging by the current rate of entry, we are expecting
these final places to sell within the next few days."
For those who do miss out on an entry, there will still be a chance
to enter through the race charities. The Chester Half Marathon's
main race charity, Northern Lights, will have charity places
available, even when general entries close. They already have a team
of over 60 runners, all pledging to raise money to send seriously
ill children on a holiday of a lifetime.
The course will be the same as last year's newly launched course,
starting at Chester Racecourse and finishing in the City Centre,
outside the Town Hall and historic Cathedral.
Entries are still open for the 1 mile Fun Run, which takes place on
the same day as the Chester Half Marathon.
For those who are already signed up for the Chester Half, who want
to progress to a marathon distance, the MBNA Chester Marathon takes
place on Sunday, 6 October 2013, this year. Following the news
earlier this year that the 26.2mile race currently holds the title
as the UK's Number 1 Marathon, as voted by Runners World, organisers
are expecting a 2nd sell out event this year.
Entry to the Chester Half Marathon is through
chestermarathon.co.uk, where
you can also find more information on running for Northern Lights.
You can enter the MBNA Chester Marathon by going on the
website.
East Village considerate
constructor builds good relationships with Liverpool residents
AN independent auditor has
commended VINCI Construction UK's consideration for the Ropewalks
community whilst carrying out a complex student accommodation
project in Liverpool.
David Core, an inspector from the Considerate Constructors Scheme
(CCS), visited the East Village Student Accommodation site,
applauding the contractor's attention to the needs of the local
residents.
Speaking after his visit, Mr Core said:- "1st impressions in
terms of visual appearance were very good. The Project Manager,
Peter, has established good relationships with local residents and
understands the sensitivity required to run a project of this size
and complexity in an inner City residential area. The site is a
consistent performer and projects a positive image of the industry."
The report assessed the scheme based on site appearance, respect for
the community, protection of the environment, attention to safety
and care for the workforce. The site complied with the Scheme's Code
of Considerate Practice by achieving seven or above in all
categories, resulting in a score of 38 out of 50.
Peter Dodd, Project Manager, VINCI Construction UK, Building
Division – North, said:- "I am very pleased with the high
score as it proves the site team is going beyond the code's
statutory requirements to promote a positive construction site. It
is important to portray construction as a safe and positive
industry."
CCS is a national initiative set up by the construction industry to
improve the image of construction. The initiative is designed to
encourage best practice ensuring the contractor is considerate to
the general public, workforce and the environment.
Friends of St George's Halls tea
Dance
LIVERPOOL'S iconic St.
George's Hall is to play host to a Tea Dance that will take place
with live band 'The Elderberries'. The event will be
held on Wednesday, 17 April 2013, from 1.30pm to 4pm, with a charge
of £5 payable on the door. The event is run and in aid of the
Friends Of St George's Hall and more information about it can be
found online at:-
stgeorgeslivrpool.co.uk or by
calling:- 0151 225 6909. |
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CALL TO SCRAP
BECHER'S BROOK
DESPITE much heralded
'safety improvements', the Grand National's most
notorious obstacle remains a potentially lethal challenge for horses
running at Aintree this week. The 2 horses who died
at last year's event - Synchronised and According To Pete; both fell
at Becher's Brook. The same 4ft 10in fence accounted for Dooneys
Gate in 2011. His back was broken after the obstacle brought him
down and another horse landed on him.
Animal Aid has long criticised the hard wooden core of Becher's
Brook. Reports, therefore, that the inner structure of Becher's and
other fences will be softened represents, in our view, a positive
development. However, Becher's remains inherently lethal for many
reasons, including its height, the spread, the diagonal angle of
approach, the fact that it comes at the end of a fast straight of 5
demanding fences, and because horses must turn after the obstacle
has been jumped. In addition, although changes have been made to the
ground on the landing side of Becher's, the fence is still lower
there than on the take-off side, which poses another potential
hazard for horses.
Animal Aid insists that the time for tinkering is over - Becher's
Brook must be removed.
Besides Becher's, other distinctive features make the Aintree annual
race extraordinarily dangerous for horses. These include: an
overcrowded field of 40 horses; a uniquely long distance, with more
fences per mile than any other race; plus perversely challenging
obstacles that vary in height and design, unlike the uniform fences
found on other British courses. It is due to these and other factors
that just 37% of horses entered into the event over the past ten
years have managed to complete the course.
Animal Aid anti-Grand National campaign initiatives include:-
A demonstration outside Channel 4 in London on 6 April (the day of
the race) by local activists, and supported by Animal Aid.
Channel 4 takes over broadcasting the Aintree meeting from the BBC
this year.
Adverts, asking punters not to bet on the big race, appearing across
London and in The Daily Telegraph newspaper.
A visit to Liverpool, on 3 April 2013, by a converted Ambulance,
emblazoned with stark protest imagery and messages. On the vehicle's
side, a powerful short film will be screened continuously.
Leafleting will take place in various locations around the City.
Ethical cosmetics retailer, Lush, to feature striking window
displays in its Leeds outlet, drawing attention to the horses who
have died at recent Grand Nationals.
Animal Aid to attend the annual demonstration outside the gates of
Aintree racecourse on the day of the Grand National.
Animal Aid's redesigned unique database of on-course equine
fatalities, Deathwatch, to be launched at the start of the Grand
National meeting.
Animal Aid activists to distribute tens of thousands of leaflets
across the country, calling on the public not to place a bet on the
race, but instead back the Sanctuary not Cruelty scheme, which
directly funds 2 hard-pressed specialist sanctuaries that rescue
horses - including ex-racehorses.
A number of course alterations and entry conditions were announced
in November 2011, but these did not prevent 2 horses being killed in
the 2012 Grand National. Further changes were introduced at the end
of last year and more in recent weeks. But features that make the
race so lethal remain unchanged.
Last month, Animal Aid published the report Deathwatch 2012, drawn
from its online database that records the deaths of thoroughbreds on
all British racecourses. The report reveals that Aintree was the
most lethal of all Britain's 60 racecourses in 2012, when deaths are
evaluated in relation to the number of days' racing. 6 horses died
at Aintree in just eight days of racing. 3 of those fatalities
occurred during the 3 day Grand National meeting.
Says Animal Aid's Director, Andrew Tyler:- "The time has come
for Aintree Racecourse to face what for them is an unpalatable
truth: the tide of public opinion is turning against its perversely
cruel spectacle. An NOP poll conducted on behalf of Animal Aid last
year revealed that, of those respondents who expressed a clear
opinion, the majority feels that the Grand National is cruel. Our
message is clear: people should stop backing this horror show and
donate their money instead to sanctuaries that help horses - not to
an industry that exploits and kills them." |
