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The ballot for places
in The National Lottery Olympic Park Run, which takes place on
31 March 2012, opens today (30 September). Members of the public
have four weeks to apply to take part in what will be the very
first public event staged in the magnificent Olympic Stadium.
5,000 lucky applicants
will have the chance to be the first runners to cross the Olympic
Stadium finish line in this historic five-mile run, which celebrates
the contribution of The National Lottery and its players to London
2012.
Launching the ballot
in the Olympic Park today were Christine Ohuruogu, Sebastian Coe,
Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and
Paralympic Games, and Dianne Thompson, Chief Executive of National
Lottery operator, Camelot.
The online ballot can
be entered by visiting www.national-lottery.co.uk/run between
now and the closing time of midnight on 27 October 2011. The National
Lottery Olympic Park Run is open to anyone aged 16 or over, of
any running ability. The 5,000 lucky hopefuls chosen from the
ballot to tackle the run will also be allocated a pair of spectator
passes each to the Olympic Stadium, so that two friends or family
members can cheer them on and be part of this memorable occasion.
The five-mile course
will traverse the Olympic Park and offer access across it on a
scale not yet experienced by the public. The route will pass alongside
the other iconic Olympic and Paralympic Games venues that The
National Lottery has helped fund and where many elite athletes’
hopes and dreams of London 2012 medal success will be realised
just a few months later. The run will reach its thrilling conclusion
on the home straight in the spectacular Olympic Stadium. Vying
to cross the finish line first will also be a host of former and
current Olympic and Paralympic athletes and celebrity runners.
Dianne Thompson, Chief
Executive of Camelot, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to take part in one of the most thrilling events in the run-up
to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The chance to
take your place in history as one of the first people to cross
the finish line in the Olympic Stadium is what dreams are made
of. The National Lottery is proud to make that dream a reality
for those who are lucky enough to win a place in the run.”
Sebastian Coe, commented:
“The National Lottery and its players have made a significant
contribution in helping us realise our vision for the most spectacular
Olympic Park, which will leave a lasting legacy for generations
to come. I’m delighted that the National Lottery will give members
of the public the chance to be the first to cross the finish line
in the Olympic Stadium.”
Christine Ohuruogu said:
“The support of National Lottery players in helping athletes fulfil
their dreams of medal success in London 2012 and beyond cannot
be under-estimated. Since the lottery’s funding of elite sport
commenced in 1997 it has played a huge role in putting more and
more sportsmen and women on the podium for GB. From allowing athletes
to train full time, to providing world-class coaches, medical
support and training facilities, lottery funding has made the
difference. What better way could there be to celebrate the contribution
of The National Lottery’s players to British sport than with this
historic event?”
The cost of entering
The National Lottery Olympic Park Run will be £15 for successful
applicants. This entry fee covers a race number, two spectator
passes for the Olympic Stadium, a full information pack, an event
T-shirt to run in on the day, computer chip timing for a completely
accurate running time, a souvenir finisher's medal, on-course
refreshments and a finisher's pack.
The National Lottery
is contributing up to £2.2 billion towards the funding of the
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the venues
and infrastructure where Britain's athletes hope to fulfil their
dreams.
Through mainstream funding,
The National Lottery enables Britain's elite competitors to train
as full-time professionals and provides them with world-class
support. From 2006 to 2013, The National Lottery is providing
in excess of £310 million to support over 1,200 potential Team
GB and Paralympics GB athletes as they prepare for London 2012
and beyond.
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