14 July 2008

Liz McColgan has been confirmed as the guest speaker the 5^th London Marathon Athlete Camp, based at St Mary’s University College, which begins this week.

McColgan will talk to athletes about her career and all aspects of the event including nutrition, lifestyle, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy and, of course, training.

The hugely successful initiative, specifically focussed on the needs of developing endurance athletes, invited promising young athletes to attend based on specific criteria including performances at English Schools cross-country and the London Mini Marathon.

A number of athletes who have attended the camp have gone on to represent Great Britain such as World Junior 1500m Gold Medallist Steph Twell (AFD), Ross Murray (Gateshead Harriers), Abby Westley (Sheffield Harriers) and David Forrester (St Helens Sutton AC).

The success of the athletes in attendance has confirmed the need for this type of initiative and enabled expansion in the camp’s remit, so this year organisers have been able to invite disabled athletes to the programme.

Dame Tanni Grey Thompson said: “I think it is a very positive step for the programme to be including disabled athletes for the first time. I think it shows that the London marathon is a truly inclusive event and it shows great potential for future talent in that they are being supported from the mini marathon potentially through to the full marathon.”

The camp is growing from strength to strength through the continued support and dedication from joint organisers London Marathon and UK Athletics endurance performance staff and delivery staff from UK Athletics and The English Institute of Sport.

Organiser and UKA performance coach Craig Winrow said: “The camp is really making a difference to the lives of developing endurance athletes. It’s hugely important for us to not only focus on racing but pay attention to aspects of life which change or intensify when you are a dedicated young athlete.”