By Leicester Mercury | Posted October 11, 2012
Leicestershire's Claire Lomas who famously completed the London Marathon in 16 days using her ReWalk suit will officially start the Leicester Marathon on Sunday (October 14).
The marathon, which starts in Victoria Park, raises funds for local charities, LOROS and the Matt Hampson Foundation.
Claire, who was paralysed from the chest down after a horse riding accident in 2007, is an ambassador for the charity Spinal Research.
She completed this summer's London Marathon to raise funds for rehabilitation and research into spinal cord repair.
Her epic feat was recognised throughout the athletic and Paralympic community and she was invited to open the London Paralympic Games.
Claire said: "I'm delighted to be asked to start the race in aid of such great charities, but also glad to not be taking part in this marathon. I wish all the runners the very best of luck."
This year the marathon will include the LOROS Maza Fun Run which is for people of various fitness levels to get involved in.
The Fun Run will start in Abbey Park and finish in Victoria Park, where the full and half marathon runners finish and collect their medals.
Race programme
Entry desk opens at 7.30am on the day - (on the day entry fee is £50)
Enquiry desk opens 8am
START - 9.15am The Leicester Marathon, the Half Marathon and Freeth Cartwright Corporate Relay.
START - 9.30am Ted Toft Mile For Young People
At 10am awards will be presented to the Ted Toft Mile winners in Victoria Park
At 10.15am first half marathon finisher expected at Victoria Park
At 11am awards will be presented to the half marathon winners in Victoria Park
At 11.45am the first full marathon runner is expected back at Victoria Park
At 12.15pm the last of half marathon runners are expected back at Victoria Park
At 12.30pm awards will be presented to the full marathon winners in Victoria Park
At 3.15pm the last of the Leicester marathon runners expected are back.
ROUTE: There are no major climbs during the course, only gradual inclines, but the last mile is uphill, the first mile is downhill.
The course is run in a predominately anti-clockwise direction.
Please follow the instructions of the marshals and adhere to the highway rules.
Runners should always keep to the left hand side of the road, unless otherwise instructed.
PARKING There will be roadside parking around the park and university.
People should arrive between 7.30am - 8am, the free spaces fill up the quickest.
Disabled parking is available at the front of De Montfort Hall.
Granville Road car park will be limited to pay and display.
There is an NCP Car Park on East Street, which is only a 10-15 minute walk from Victoria Park.
For extra parking - park on Regent College's ground for £5.
NUMBER
Runners can collect their numbers prior to the day.
This will also have a timing chip attached which runners must wear and the race number should be on the front of competitors running tops.
Any altering of the number will lead to disqualification.
The number is only to be worn by the person who signed the disclaimer and must not be passed to anyone else.
THE ROUTE The Marathon will split off at the six-mile point and rejoin at the same point 13.1 miles later. Toilets will be at miles six, 15, 19 miles and at the finish.
MP3 PLAYERS Please leave these at home. Please do not bring them to the event.
The wearing of MP3 players is NOT permitted at this event.
If you flout this rule you will be removed from the results.
Under health and safety ruling please do not wear them.
