The event will take place on 7 March 2010. It is a half marathon and 5km fun run. To register and find out more details, go to www.meadowsmarathon.org.uk

On 7 March 2010, the Edinburgh’s favourite cult sporting event, the Meadows Marathon, returns to the green heart of Scotland’s capital. In association with the organisers, each week The Journal will be handing out useful tips for training, ideas for wacky costumes and showcasing charit ies for runners to fundraise for. Remember, the event i ncludes a half marathon and a 5 kilometre fun run; to register and find out more, check out the website – address at the bottom of the page.

Training Tips

• If this is your first half marathon, and you have reasonable fitness levels, it’s not too late to begin training!
• With seven weeks until the event, runners should begin to run long distance once a week, beginning with four miles and adding two per week until reaching the maximum of 12 miles.
• This should coincide with three of four regular shorter runs throughout the week to work on speed and agility.
• You should also try to add in a cross training exercise working on core strength, such as lunges, squats, crunches and ‘supermans’?lying on your stomach and lifting your chest and legs off the floor?as this will improve running performance.

Running a half marathon may seem daunting, so why not try the 5km fun run? It is, after all, the taking part that counts. Get your mates involved, dress up and have a laugh whilst raising money for charity.

Charity Showcase

One of our gold charities this year is Scottish Love in Action (SLA).

SLA is a Scottish based charity that cares for and supports destitute children in India. Many of the children are classed as Dalit, or ‘untouchable’, which means the lowest in the Indian caste system. They face constant discrimination in society, as well as being denied basic human rights such as healthcare and education.

By running for SLA, you will help to feed, clothe, house, educate and provide medical care for 500 children, breaking down the negative effects of caste on their lives and bringing them dignity, self-respect and love.

Last year, SLA was able to recruit a total of 70 runners—including the famous trio of runners sporting the Loch Ness Monster?and 30 from Durham University. During an SLA event last week, which screened the film Slumdog Millionaire, 17 runners signed up on the spot!
To run for SLA call?0131 558 7395 or send an email to enquiries@sla-india.org.

Spread the word about the Meadows Marathon!