Ikano to sponsor the Robin Hood Half Marathon and Mini Marathon

The organisers of the Robin Hood Half Marathon have announced today that Ikano Financial Services has saved the race day and stepped in by confirming headline sponsorship for this year’s Robin Hood Half Marathon and Mini Marathon. Thanks to the Ikano sponsorship the Half Marathon and Mini Marathon are now guaranteed to take place in Nottingham on Sunday 30th September 2012.

Ikano Financial Services, one of the UK’s leading retail credit and loyalty providers, has its UK headquarters and call centre operations in Nottingham and is proud of its strong links within the city and the community. The new headline sponsorship confirms the continuation of the Half Marathon and Mini Marathon in 2012 with the race officially becoming the Ikano Robin Hood Half Marathon and Ikano Mini Marathon.

Vivienne Saunders, Communications Manager at Ikano Financial Services, said: "Ikano has got such a strong historical presence in Nottingham as well as a huge commitment to the city and to giving something back, and we are proud to be the saviour of the 2012 race.”

“We are delighted to be the new headline sponsor for the Robin Hood Half Marathon and Mini Marathon this year and keen on encouraging as many people as possible to get actively involved in this ever-popular Robin Hood mass participation event in Nottingham."

Sweatshop, the UK’s largest specialist running retailer with shops nationwide, organise the race and are very proud to be working with Ikano. Sweatshop MD Nick Pearson commented "This is an iconic event in Nottingham and to have such a key business in the community as Ikano step forward to support this race is excellent. We welcome Ikano on board and we look forward to announcing further developments linking back to the history of the race and the legacy that is Robin Hood."

Nottingham is the home of Robin Hood, a heroic outlaw in English folk law, a popular folk figure during medieval times and a skilled archer and swordsman. The organisers have hinted at part of the race village celebrating this historic connection and encouraging family fun within the highly regarded Nottingham race.

The new website has launched and registration is now open. Go to www.robinhoodhalfmarathon.co.uk for more information about the Robin Hood Half Marathon 2012 and to secure your place in this iconic race now, and like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/RobinHoodMarathonandHalfMarathon