London Marathon Events organises Reunion 10K as part of government's events research programme
London Marathon Events (LME) is organising the Reunion 10K which will be held on 24-25 April as one of the pilot events in the government’s Events Research Programme.
The brand-new event will take place at Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire, and consist of three separate 10K races held over the one weekend. The format has been designed in conjunction with the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) to provide scientific data on how mass participation events can safely resume as part of the roadmap out of lockdown from 21 June.
LME is also working closely with Public Health England, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Hatfield Park and other key stakeholders in the planning of the event which has further support from the Mass Participation Sports Organisers (MSO), the collective of the UK’s leading mass participation event organisers.
The aim of the Reunion 10K is to provide scientific data from participants, spectators and staff which can be used to inform DCMS in planning for the safe return of mass participation sport. Everyone attending the event (participants, spectators and staff) will be required to take a Covid-19 test before and after the event. All will be asked if they have been vaccinated, but this is not a requirement to attend the event.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events, said: “The government’s Events Research Programme is a very significant step towards the safe return of events and London Marathon Events, along with our fellow mass participation event organisers, is doing everything we can to assist the government with this project. We would like to thank everyone involved for their support in putting on the Reunion 10K at Hatfield Park.”
Jim McManus, Director of Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council said: "We're really pleased to be part of a national pilot to see how we can effectively put on safe outdoor events - particularly in the run up to large scale events like the London Marathon.
“We'll be looking to trial a number of things at the Reunion 10K event and have been really impressed with the local organisation so far. We all need to remember to play our part as we come out of the national lockdown but it is also vital that we encourage safe exercise for people's physical health and mental wellbeing."
Helen Landau, Director of Operations at Hatfield Park, said: "We are very excited to be hosting the Reunion 10K which is a great addition to begin our events calendar for the hopeful year ahead. We are only too happy that Hatfield Park can play a role in supporting London Marathon Events and the Events Research Programme to pilot events in support of the government taking steps towards the event industry being able to operate this summer with a safe but much needed return to people’s lives."
LME is planning to have 3,000 participants and up to 3,000 spectators in each of the three races at the Reunion 10K which will all be configured slightly differently to capture the most data. Participants, spectators and staff must agree to undergo a Covid-19 test both before and after the event. Anyone testing positive before the event will not be able to attend and, in the case of participants, their entry fee will be refunded. More details about the Reunion 10K will be available on Monday 12 April.
LME's registration system partner njuko is providing the entry system at no cost. Matt Trevett, Partnerships Manager at njuko, said: "The njuko team is proud to play its part in the Events Research Programme and to support the organisation of the Reunion 10K."
