World champion Mo Farah leads Holiday Inn run

World Athletics Championship gold medal winner Mo Farah has hosted a running club for Holiday Inn, the official hotel provider to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Starting and finishing at Holiday Inn London Regent's Park, the 5,000 metres run was open to all running enthusiasts and fans of Farah, who recently carried off the 5,000-metre title at the World Championships in Daegu. The first 250 runners who completed the run were rewarded with a free breakfast served outside the hotel.

The event marked Farah's last UK appearance in 2011 before returning to the USA to train for the Olympic Games.

Farah is on Holiday Inn's Athlete Engagement Programme, which supports 50 emerging and established British athletes, including Rebecca Adlington and Victoria Pendleton, in their quest for medals by giving them over 1,500 free room nights.

Holiday Inn has given athletes and their support teams free overnight stays at InterContinental Hotels Group's brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express in the lead up to London 2012.

In return for hotel rooms, participating athletes provide unique experiences for Holiday Inn staff and guests.

"As I spend a lot of nights away from home at track and field events around the world, it's great to have this support from Holiday Inn," said Farah. "It's really nice to have my coaching team and family with me when I'm away training or competing.

"I've really enjoyed hosting this running club for Holiday Inn and it has been great to see so many Londoners turning out and taking part."

As part of its London 2012 partnership, Holiday Inn will also be providing residential managers, receptionists and concierges for the Olympics Village, employing a number of aspiring Olympic and Paralympic athletes on a flexible basis at hotels in the lead-up to the games, and supporting the Olympic torch relay by hosting the team as they travel around the UK.

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By Janet Harmer

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