PENDLETON INSPIRES LAUREUS FUND-RAISERS AHEAD OF OXFORD HALF MARATHON

• ‘With all funds raised going directly to Laureus, these participants are really bringing the ‘Sport for Good’ message to life’ – says Victoria Pendleton
• To sign up for Oxford Half Marathon, go to http://www.laureus.com/run
• Pictures of Victoria Pendleton’s training day at www.laureusarchive.com

OXFORD, September 7, 2015 – World and Olympic track cycling champion Victoria Pendleton passed on her inspiration and advice to #TeamSportForGood ahead of the Vitality Oxford Half Marathon.

Victoria, who recently made her impressive debut as an amateur jockey, coming second in a recent Flat Amateur Riders' Handicap at Ripon, answered questions from runners on her illustrious career, preparing for a big race and what it takes to perform at the highest level.

The runners in attendance were all part of #TeamSportForGood, a group of runners who had signed up for the event in a bid to raise funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses sport as a tool for social change, benefitting young people both in the UK and around the world.

Speaking at the Oxford University running track at Iffley Road, where Roger Bannister became the first man to run the mile in less than four minutes in May 1954, Victoria praised the participants: “I had a great day meeting and speaking with these inspirational runners who are gearing up for the Half Marathon next month. With all funds raised through their efforts going directly to Laureus, these participants are really bringing the ‘Sport for Good’ message to life.

“I’ve been privileged enough to see first-hand the incredible work done around the world by Laureus, using sport as a tool to empower young people and giving them an opportunity to pave their own path in life.”

There are still a few places left in #TeamSportforGood. For more information and to sign up for the Oxford Half Marathon, go to http://www.laureus.com/run. The deadline for entries is September 29.

Over the next eight months, competitors have the chance to sign up for six more Vitality Run Series events: Oxford Half Marathon, October 11, 2015; WestRun 10k, November 15, 2015; Brighton Half Marathon, February 26, 2016; Bath Half Marathon, March 13, 2016; Liverpool Half Marathon, March 13, 2016; Reading Half Marathon, April 3, 2016.

Funds raised by #TeamSportforGood runners taking part in the Vitality Run Series, which includes six half marathons between now and the end of March, will go towards training 1,000 sports coaches who will work with 100,000 young people across the across the UK, using the power of sport to change their lives.

The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, whose mission is to use sport as the means to tackle social problems around the world, has raised more than €85 million since 2000.