| EK half marathon saved |
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| Written by Kayleigh Mcleod | ||||||
 THE EAST Kilbride Half Marathon and 10k is to be saved as eleventh hour negotiations concluded this week.The 11th year of the historic race was threatened as soft drinks giant sponsor Coca-Cola pulled their funding for the event in January. Gerry Campbell, general manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure, said: “South Lanarkshire Leisure, South Lanarkshire Council and Lanarkshire NHS have agreed to work in partnership to support this year’s East Kilbride Half Marathon and 10k. “Following this year’s event, we will assess the likelihood of being able to continue this arrangement for future years.” Gerry Convery, chairman of South Lanarkshire Leisure, said: “I am delighted that we will be working with the health board to secure this year’s East Kilbride half marathon.” Gordon Colvin, race director of the popular EK annual fundraising dash, was also delighted to hear the news. Gordon told the East Kilbride Mail in January that the marathon would not go ahead if a major commercial organisation didn’t step into the breach. Gordon, a keen runner himself, said: “I’m pretty pleased that it’s happening, it would have been a real shame if it didn’t go ahead.” MSP Andy Kerr shares this sentiment. The former Health Secretary, who wrote to Coca-Cola in June 2009 urging them not to withdraw their financial support, said: “It is great news that these organisations have come together to support such a valuable community event and I, along with hundreds of others, look forward to taking part on June 20. “This is great news for the people of East Kilbride and in particular the many charities who benefit from the hard work of the runners.” Gerry Campbell went on to hint at an added element which will feature in this year’s race. He said: “It’s an innovation concerning young people. It has a link to the 2011 Children’s Games but to the overall physical fitness and health of the young people of East Kilbride.”
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