runbritain, the road running arm of UKA, is inviting tenders from established road race promoters to stage UK Road Race Championships in 2014.

UK Championships will be held in 10 kilometres, half marathon, marathon and 5 kilometres for young athlete under-13, under-15 and under-17 age groups.

In 2013 these championships were held in conjunction with the Bupa 10km, Cardiff Half Marathon, Virgin London Marathon and the London Adidas Mini-Marathon.

Tenders must address:

·         The experience and quality of your organisation;

·         The proposed date and timetable of the event;

·         The potential for athletes to set personal best performances;

·         The depth of your current field in terms of numbers and quality;

·         How you will provide support for British athletes;

·         A commitment to pay the £5,000 fee for the right to promote the Championship;

·         Information about your sponsor(s), not including any contract or commercial details.

 In addition, you will be required to:

– Publicise the Championship status in pre-event and web activity;
– Join the runbritain Facebook group, if appropriate, for recruitment of athletes and promotion of the runbritain handicap scheme;
– Encourage British participation in line with current practices;
– Keep runbritain UKA advised of notable entrants and other newsworthy developments that can be publicised by both parties;
– Award the UK Championship individual medals on the day;
– Pay the rights fee on invoice on a date and in format to be agreed.

If your application is successful then UKA/runbritain will award the championships and announce the same, publicise the Championship status in the build-up to the event, encourage athletes of a certain standard to include the Championships in their long-term race plans, report the results and supply medals.

runbritain is also inviting tenders from established 10km and half marathon races to be part of the 2014 runbritain Grand Prix series. Tenders will need to confirm that the following points will be achieved and must be submitted by August 31st 2013.

– The series will take place in spring (March – May) and autumn (September – October) with a possible split being: March 10k, April Half Marathon, May 10k, September Half, September/October 10k, October Half Marathon Final.  The actual format will be determined as a result of tenders received.

– A geographic spread is desirable. Each event shall guarantee a minimum of £5,000 British-only prize money at their race and contribute a £3,000 rights fee which will go towards a £10,000 – £14,000 (7@£2,000)overall Grand Prix purse. Sample individual race prize money:

1st (male and female) – £1000
2nd – 500
3rd – 400
4th – 300
5th – 200
6th – 100 

2014 Overall Grand Prix:

1st – £3,000      6th – 300
2nd – 1,500       7th – 250
3rd – 1,000        8th – 200
4th – 500            9th – 150
5th – 400           10th – 100 

Rationale

– A maximum of seven pre-existing events will form the Grand Prix series.
– To link and give status to those races currently supporting British athletes and maximise the earning potential of British athletes not otherwise on funded programmes.
– To draw new runners into competition and to make inclusion attractive and prestigious for race organisers and maximise available places.
– Eligibility for awards is linked to GB team eligibility and athlete registration with a Home Country scheme.

In the runbritain Grand Prix series, the first 250 British finishers will score points, from 250 points down to one point in order to broaden the number of runners capable of achieving Grand Prix points-scoring status. The best five performances from a possible seven will count towards the overall score.

Athletics Data will track and score and maintain Grand Prix standings (inc. age groups) on rankings/handicap pages of the runbritain website. Double points will be allocated to the designated Grand Prix final race, to maintain interest throughout.

Please submit your tenders in writing by August 31st 2013 to John Temperton at jtemperton@uka.org.uk and address any queries to runbritain Managing Director Geoff Wightman at gwightman@uka.org.uk.