Organisers of the Guernsey Marathon and Sure today jointly announce the telecoms company
as the title sponsor for the newly named Sure Guernsey Marathon for the next three years.

The Sure Guernsey Marathon 2022 takes place on Sunday 3 April and the event includes the full marathon, the Mourant relay race and a 2km fun run – meaning there’s something for runners of all levels to enjoy.

The new partnership sees Sure extend its commitment to local sport and it comes at an exciting time for organisers as they focus on growing the event on and off island as well as enhancing the overall experience for participants. Sure’s expertise with technology will bring further benefits and allow the event to advance its communication and timing capabilities on offer to participants, marshals, and spectators.

Race Director, Michael Quittenden explained how technology is going to improve the race experience: “Sure is providing wireless and 4G connectivity for the race’s official timing technology – which connects race organisers and marshals who are stationed around the course to ensure the smooth running of the event.

“This technology is also crucial for the all-important race timing equipment too – with the digital start and finish clocks recording each runner’s time, which will be displayed online, and for the runners to rely on as the ‘race standard’ of accuracy.”

The event is again raising funds and awareness for two local charities: Guernsey Bowel Cancer and Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation. Sure’s title sponsorship allows a greater proportion of funds to go to these two deserving local charities.

However, the event organisers also welcome all charities to use the marathon as a fundraising opportunity and encourage runners, who are running for a charity close to their hearts, to email their story to 26.2@guernseymarathon.com or use the hashtag #SureGuernseyMarathon so the team can share the story on social media.

Sure team members will help to run the event by volunteering in the marathon village – the hub for all marathon activity – and helping with marshalling around the course. In addition, some team members have signed up to run the race either individually or as part of relay teams, and their race fees have been covered by Sure.

Sure’s increased focus on sport comes ahead of their partnership with the NatWest Island Games in 2023, which are being held in Guernsey. Sure is the official technology sponsor of the Games and will supply equipment and technology to make them the most digital Games, ever.

Sure Group CEO Alistair Beak said: “As part of our purpose to connect our island communities for a better future and to be more community-focused, we are thrilled to have agreed to sponsor the marathon here in Guernsey for the next three years.”

“This is the first part of our new Guernsey sports sponsorship strategy, which has increased to sponsor six sports for 2022, and will ramp up to Sure’s role as technology sponsor of the NatWest Island Games in July 2023.”

Guernsey is perfectly sized for a full marathon, with the course starting at Havelet at 9am and proceeding anti-clockwise around the island, following the main roads in the south before moving onto the coastal road on the west coast. The home stretch will bring runners from the Bridge, along the front and back into town.

The Mourant Relay Race consists of teams of two or five runners and starts at 9.30am. The fun run takes in a 2km loop along St Peter Port’s waterfront and is available to competitors aged seven and up, making it an ideal family event.

Organising an event of this size requires a huge amount of support from the local community and organisers are currently looking for twenty course marshals to help guide runners around the route. Katie Millar, Event Organiser from 3D Events, says ‘You do not need any previous experience, only between 4-6 hours free on Sunday 3 April and to be willing to join in the fun. Volunteers can sign up to support via the website’.

Want to know more? Contact the Guernsey Marathon team on 26.2@guernseymarathon.com or register your place here: www.guernsey-marathon.com/