PRESS RELEASE “Powerade Queen’s 5k Road Race receives Championship Status for 2015” At the recent launch of the annual Powerade Queen’s 5k ‘Race Around the River’ which will take place on Wednesday 25 March 2015 at 7pm, it was announced that this year’s race has been awarded Northern Ireland and Ulster championship status for 2015. The already popular road race, which is organised by Queen’s Athletics Club and Queen’s Sport, covers a fast and unique course beside the River Lagan consisting of two laps around the King’s Bridge and Ormeau Bridge, with the Physical Education Centre (PEC) acting as the race HQ for pre and post-race requirements. John Allen, General Secretary of Athletics Northern Ireland, said: "I am delighted that such high calibre events such as the Powerade Queen’s 5k Road Race will host the prestigious 2015 Northern Ireland and Ulster Road Race Championships. Over the past number of years the Championships have grown in stature with titles sought after by both individual athletes and clubs. Each of these races caters to a large number of club athletes and fun runners from all parts of Ireland and further afield and I am sure this year's event will be no exception". There are robust guidelines in place in relation to awarding championship status to any road race. These cover factors such as accurate distance measurement, adequate stewarding and policing, provision of toilets, first aid, water and refreshments and the general quality of the course and event organisation. Championship status can only be awarded to one event in each distance category per year, being chosen as a Championship host is evidence of the confidence Athletics Northern Ireland has in the commitment of the event organisers involved and the quality of each race. Neil Johnston, Captain of Queen’s Athletics Club said “We encourage those interested in taking part to enrol early as the first 500 entries will be guaranteed the specially branded Queen’s 5k T-shirt. We are also encouraging more students, local recreational runners and parkrun enthusiasts who live in the surrounding area of South Belfast to get involved and challenge themselves over 5K” Neil added “This year’s race will also bring some added student rivalry with Queen’s Clubs and Societies competing for a new team prize that will be awarded to the fastest team of four across Male and Female student categories”. Stephen Cassidy, Senior Key Account Manager from Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland “We are proud to continue our partnership with Queen’s Sport by supporting the Powerade Queen’s 5k Road Race and we are delighted with the ongoing success of this event. This is one of a number of sporting initiatives we are working on, in partnership with Queen’s Sport and the University Development Office and we are committed to developing the talent of the future, as well as the sports stars of today. We recognise the Powerade Queen’s 5K Road Race as an important community sporting event and hope the number of participants continues to grow. For more information on the race, entry fees and the course visit www.queenssport5k.com For further information please contact: Kevin Murray k.murray@qub.ac.uk 07804249181 or visit the Queen’s Sport Website: www.queenssport.com