FROME runner Georgie Starkie is preparing to take on the Chicago Marathon this year, hoping to further her London Marathon success and take advantage of an American development programme.
Georgie, who is the race director of the Frome Half Marathon, was the 38th woman out of the tens of thousands who took part in the London Marathon earlier this year. This earned her a new personal best and place in the top 50 UK women for the marathon distance.
Georgie is appealing for support or sponsorship from local businesses as she continues to push herself with the Chicago Marathon in October.
Georgie said, “As Chicago is one of the six marathon major events it’s been on my list for a while. I’ve chosen to run it this year as the results of my last two marathons (2.58.05 at Frankfurt in October 2012 and 2.57.38 at the London Marathon this year) mean I’ve qualified for the American Development Program start pen, right at the front of the race behind the elites. This is set up to support the best amateur athletes in the sport and should give me an opportunity to take my running to the next level.
“I will definitely be aiming to run a personal best. One goal I have set myself is to finish in the top 50 women in the event (including the elites).”
Georgie needs to cover a $200 race entry fee, as well as flights and accommodation.
She said, “I’m happy to discuss any ways I can promote businesses that want to support me. That could be wearing their logo on my training kit (I train around Frome and Warminster, on the canal between Trowbridge and Bath and at the University of Bath), regular mentions on my Facebook page and Twitter feed, a talk about my training/racing and possibly even a ‘Begin to Run’ course for their staff. I’m also open to suggestions from local businesses about their own ideas.”
You can contact Georgie via georgiestarkie@yahoo.co.uk or call 07980 508092, or find her at https://www.face book.com/Georgie StarkieRuns or https:// twitter.com/running georgie
