Runners in the 2013 Colchester Half Marathon
The University of Essex is sponsoring the Colchester half-marathon to mark 50 years of challenge and achievement.
The University opened its doors to its first students in 1964, and is proud to reach such a significant milestone. As it enters its 50th anniversary year, it is ranked in the top 2% of world universities and internationally renowned for its research.
A year-long programme of events and activities will be launched later this year to celebrate the contribution of students, staff, and the people of Colchester and the county to Essex’s excellence in education and research.
Head of Communications, Jenny Grinter, said: “The people and businesses of Colchester gave generously to the £1 million appeal fund that helped to establish the University 50 years ago, and we are happy to be giving something back by supporting Essex’s premier half marathon, and helping to raise funds for the town’s St Helena Hospice.”
As well as its sponsorship package, which includes the race T-shirts, the University has entered a team of up to 50 runners to tackle the 13-mile challenge.
The University team hopes to raise thousands of pounds for the event’s chosen charity, in memory of former University Registrar and Secretary Dr Tony Rich who was cared for by the Hospice in the later stages of the cancer which eventually took his life in summer 2012.
Experts in exercise, health, and sports performance from the University’s Centre for Sports and Exercise Science are compiling fitness and nutrition tips for runners as they enter their last six weeks of training, and the first of these is posted on the University’s website.
The half-marathon takes place at 9am on Sunday 16 March, starting and finishing at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Jenny Grinter said: “Look out for the University’s stand at the stadium, and cheer on our runners as they make their way through the centre of Colchester.” Sponsor the University team.
To mark its 50th anniversary, the University is also offering fee scholarships of 25% to students born, educated or living in the greater county of Essex who start postgraduate degrees at its campuses in the 2014-15 academic year.