Industry Shorts: London Marathon, British And Irish Lions, Chelsea

The London Marathon has announced details of the biosecure bubble that will be in place for the event’s elite-only races on 4th October.

Special permission has been granted by DCMS to allow athletes and support staff to travel, while strict guidelines on testing, travel, accommodation and competition. These will include regular testing as well as the use of an biosecure hotel where competitors and support staff will stay during race week. The event will see Eliud Kipchoge (pictured) take on rival Kenenisa Bekele in the men’s event, with world record holder Brigid Kosgei competing in the women’s event.

London Marathon Events has also confirmed that its virtual race – which will allow competitors from all over the world complete the marathon distance at some point during the day – has sold out.

All 20,000 general entry places have been taken up by participants from 81 countries, according to organisers, with a limited number of charity places remaining.

The British & Irish Lions have appointed Tim Percival as Head of Communications for the 2021 Tour to South Africa.

Percival joins on temporary, 12-month secondment from Gallagher Premiership club Northampton Saints where he is Director of Marketing & Communications. 

He has previously worked as the England’s Communications Manager under Eddie Jones, as well as Head of Corporate Communications at Wasps.   

Williams Racing has announced that Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams will step down from her role with the team after the Italian Grand Prix. 

She and father Sir Frank WIlliams, who founded the team more than 40 years ago, will step away from the company. The news comes after the team was sold to US investment group Dorilton Capital last month.

Chelsea have partnered with Loughborough University in a partnership which will see the Premier League side’s academy players attend workshops hosted by the university, as well as using campus facilities.

Loughborough, meanwhile, will see its coaching staff invited to attend a separate training session to learn from those at the top of the professional game.

British Athletics has announced Christian Malcolm as its Olympic Programme Head Coach.

The former sprinter and Olympian who won two World Championships bronze medals for Team GB, had previously been Head of Performance and Coaching at Athletics Australia, and was appointed following an open recruitment process.

He will take up his post later this year supporting performances across all disciplines and event groups, as well as lead the Great Britain & Northern Ireland senior teams at major championships.

Ben Wells has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer at PTI Digital, having previously spent three years at Bath Rugby.

He will join the consultancy to work across its existing venue technology and data & digital verticals. 

ukactive and fitness brand Les Mills have launched a new initiative to help schools and families get involved in Great British Week of Sport.

The pair have announced the BORN TO MOVE campaign in a bid to help children, young people, and families get more out of the Great British Week of Sport initiative, which takes place from Saturday 19th September to Sunday 27th September.

The week-long celebration of physical activity forms the bedrock of the UK’s delivery of the European Week of Sport.