FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PEAKE'S PARTNERS IN SPACE SUITS TO OPEN LONDON MARATHON EXPO
Space experts and Guinness World Record chasers Dr Jonathan Scott and Libby
Jackson will open the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon Expo at London
Dockland's ExCeL Exhibition Centre at 11:00 on Wednesday 20 April, where
around 38,000 runners are expected to register for this Sunday's 36th
edition of the race over the following four days.
Scott, who leads the Medical Projects and Technology Team in the Space
Medicine Office at the European Space Agency, and Jackson, an Astronaut
Flight Education Programme Manager at the UK Space Agency, will run the
2016 Virgin Money London Marathon from Greenwich to The Mall on Sunday 24
April while British ESA astronaut Tim Peake runs the Digital Virgin Money
London Marathon on a treadmill aboard the International Space Station.
Scott and Jackson worked closely with Peake on Earth to prepare him for his
mission, but will compete against their friend on Sunday as they attempt to
break Guinness World Records for completing the 26.2-mile race in space
suits (male and female records, respectively). Peake, meanwhile, is aiming
to become the first man to run a marathon in space.
Both have been an integral part of Peake's team in the build up to his
space mission. Scott was responsible for designing an exercise programme to
counter the effects of living in microgravity and to get Peake in top
condition for his digital marathon challenge. Jackson has used her
experience as a former flight director on space missions to prepare Peake
for his operation.
Once the pair (wearing their space suits) have opened the giant metals
doors on Wednesday morning, around 38,000 runners are expected to visit
ExCeL before the Expo closes at 17:00 on Saturday 23 April. Runners will
pick up their race numbers and Ipico Sports Timing Tags, and visit numerous
stalls, displays and exhibitions dedicated to marathon running.
Some 70,000 people visit the London Marathon exhibition each year, and this
year's Expo is expected to be the biggest ever. Visitors will be able to
wander around the many exhibitors' stands, including all the major running
brands, charities and international races, numerous athletics magazines,
and a vast range of health and fitness products and services.
A number of elite runners and well-known faces will be appearing on the
Expo's Centre Stage, including Britain's Paralympic champion wheelchair
racer David Weir, London Marathon course record holder Wilson Kipsang,
men's world record holder Dennis Kimetto and women's world champion Mare
Dibaba, not to mention Britain's double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes
and BBC commentator Steve Cram.
There will also be plenty of last-minute advice available at the Experts'
Show where marathon coach Martin Yelling will be on hand, along with pacing
experts from Runner's World and sports scientists offering nutrition and
hydration tips.
More information, including opening hours, can be found on the Virgin Money
London Marathon website: www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com
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