400 Places Left for 2017 Ealing Mini Mile

The organisers of the award-winning 2017 Ealing Half Marathon have announced that there are just 400 places left for the Ealing Mini Mile, which has sold 1100 of its 1500 places within a few weeks of entries opening.

The Mini Mile has enjoyed a surge in popularity following the announcement that it would take place the day before the Ealing Half Marathon, on Saturday 23^rd September, to allow for a greater number of participants. It will be the first time that the Mini Mile takes place on a different day to the half marathon, and the news has been welcomed by many young runners aged 6-16 who are keen to experience a big sporting event and the thrill of crossing the finish line.

The Ealing Mini Mile was first held in 2013 and has become a much-loved part of the Ealing Half Marathon. It sees runners cover a one-mile route around Ealing’s Lammas Park, with plenty of support from family and friends who come out to cheer on the youngsters. The race sells out each year, with all places snapped in under 24 hours in 2016, and any young runner wishing to take part in this year’s larger, stand-alone event is encouraged to secure their place as soon as possible.

Local independent girls’ school St Augustine’s Priory has been confirmed as the main sponsor for the 2017 Ealing Mini Mile, in addition to fielding 50 pupils in the event as well. The girls will all be running in school kit, providing an eye-catching sea of blue t-shirts among the traditional green of the Ealing Half.

The Ealing Mini Mile will take place on the afternoon of the Saturday and children will be split into different age categories. Prizes are awarded to the winner of each age category and every runner gets their finish time.

The 6-7 years age category is already closing and the other age groups are also expected to sell out shortly. The Mini Mile will fully close for entries on or before 13^th April.

The Ealing Mini Mile attracts junior members of the local athletics clubs as well as children of the Ealing Half Marathon runners, plus a large number of youngsters who have never taken part in a running event before. The increased capacity for 2017 will give many more young runners the chance to take part and try something new, which is very much in line with Ealing Half Marathon’s commitment as a Community Interest Company to make sport and fitness available to all.

Each year a different local school is selected to design the Mini Mile t-shirt, and Ealing’s Mount Carmel Primary School has been chosen to create a winning design for 2017.

Current Mini Mile course records are held by Charlotte Buckley from Thames Valley Harriers (00:05:43) and Joseph Barnes (00:05:18).

Events Director Sandra Courtney commented, “We are delighted that the 2017 Ealing Mini Mile has received such a positive uptake, and are very pleased to have made the decision to move the race to a different day in order to increase capacity. It will be a wonderful sight to see 1,500 young runners run around Lammas Park at the beginning of race weekend, and hope that many people will come out to support them in what, for some, will be their first big race.

“We are thrilled to welcome St Augustine’s Priory on board as a sponsor and very much look forward to their support on the day. With just 400 places left for the Mini Mile now, we would recommend any young runners still wanting to sign up to do so as soon as possible, as places are selling fast. The race is open to runners of all abilities between the ages of 6 and 16, and the atmosphere will be fantastic.”

Mrs Raffray, Head of St Augustine’s Priory, added, “At St Augustine’s we are passionate about life long success for each girl. Remaining fit, participating in competitive sport and setting challenging goals are areas we are committed to. We want the girls to be game changers in every way and we are delighted to be part of this wonderful community event.”

The entry fee for the Ealing Mini Mile is £10 per child, which includes a unique medal, water and a t-shirt for all finishers.

A maximum of 1500 places are available and online registration is open: https://www.riderhq.com/events/72790/ealing-mini-mile.

With just over six months until race weekend, the Ealing Half Marathon is already filling its 8,000 spaces as runners from all over the UK and abroad secure their spot to experience the #EalingFeeling. Now celebrating its sixth anniversary, it promises to be the biggest year yet for the race which was introduced in 2012 as a legacy to London’s Olympic Games.

The Ealing Half Marathon starts and finishes in Lammas Park on Sunday 24^th September and features a 13.1-mile route on closed roads around the leafy streets and parks of the West London Borough. It is well known for its huge support and lively atmosphere.

The Ealing Half Marathon and the Ealing Mini Mile are organised by Ealing Half Marathon CIC, a Community Interest Company that invests all money raised at the races into sporting and health-promoting activities within the local community.

Until 30^th April, the entry fee for the Ealing Half Marathon is £38 for affiliated athletes and £40 for unaffiliated runners. The fee rises to £40-42 between 1^st May – 31^st July, and the race is expected to sell out by the end of July.

Go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com for further details and to sign up. You can also like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ealinghalf and follow @EalingHalf #EalingFeeling on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest news about the Ealing Half Marathon.