Virgin London Marathon Race Director Dave Bedford has confirmed that Hugh Brasher has been appointed Deputy Race Director for the 2011 edition of the race next April.
Brasher will work closely with Bedford, beginning January 2011, with the intention that he will act as Joint Race Director in 2012, and then become sole Race Director in 2013, when Dave Bedford will begin a part-time role within the London Marathon organisation.
Hugh Brasher is the son of the late Chris Brasher, a co-founder of the London Marathon in 1981 who famously paced Roger Bannister to the first ever four minute mile in 1954.
Commenting on the appointment, Bedford said, “There were a number of very strong applications for this role, however Hugh Brasher through his business experience in sporting events and understanding of the sport from every angle, was head and shoulders above the other applicants.
“Hugh has been involved in organising road races for 10 years, and has also been a Director of the London Marathon since 2008. He is also part of the advisor group to UK Athletics that set up runbritain.”
Brasher is already a successful entrepreneur. He is the CEO of Brasher Leisure, which owns the UK’s largest running specialty chain, Sweatshop, with 32 outlets.
Under Bedford’s management, the Virgin London Marathon has grown to become Europe’s largest (the 2010 race had a record 36,550 finishers). It has the largest pro athletes budget of any marathon, and raises more money for charity than any running race.
The 2011 Virgin London Marathon will take place on Sunday 17 April 2011 and the official charity of the 2011 event will be Oxfam.
