For immediate release: 24 November 2015

AIMS RECEIVES CLARIFICATION FROM THE IAAF ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS RACES AND RUSSIAN FUN RUNNERS

Following recent events, the world running organisation the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) would like to clarify the position in the interests of its Members and the many Russian runners that are welcome and valued participants in many of its member races.

On 13 November 2015, the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations), the world governing body for Athletics announced that the All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) would be provisionally suspended as an IAAF Member with immediate effect. This will mean that all Russian runners and their support personnel (managers, coaches, etc.) may not compete in international races during the period of provisional suspension.

The ban on participation of Russian athletes applies to any Russian athlete who is affiliated to ARAF (or who is affiliated to a club or region that is affiliated to ARAF). This includes any athlete whose participation has been negotiated by the organisers but also any athlete with an affiliation to ARAF.

AIMS have advised their 390 Member races of the recommendation of the IAAF to ‘not negotiate the entry or participation of any Russian athletes’ (as defined above).

However in further communication with AIMS the IAAF stated “In principle, ordinary fun runners with absolutely no ties to the Russian Federation are eligible to participate.” This is a position that AIMS supports and would encourage all Russian fun runners to enter and participate in AIMS member races as normal.

AIMS President Paco Borao comments: ‘AIMS has sought to clarify this matter on behalf of our 390 member races around the world and the many Russian fun runners that are welcome friends to many of our races for many years now. We would like to thank the IAAF for helping bring clarity to this matter so Russian fun runners can continue to enjoy participation in AIMS races.’

About AIMS

AIMS is a member based organisation and since being established in 1982 has grown to a membership of more than 390 of the world’s leading distance races, from over 108 countries and territories. AIMS Members come from every continent on the planet and include the Athens Marathon, The Authentic formed on the legend of Pheidippides, the Greek soldier-runner who ran from the town of Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce the Persians had been defeated in the ‘Battle of Marathon’. Other AIMS members include many of the world’s greatest distance races in history such as the Berlin, Boston, Chicago, New York & Tokyo Marathons. The three key objectives of AIMS are: To foster and promote distance running throughout the world To work with the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) on all matters relating to international road races. To exchange information, knowledge and expertise among members of the association For further information on AIMS please visit: www.aimsworldrunning.org

For further information, please contact: Peter McLean, Director of Public Relations Association of International Marathons & Distance Races C/o PMPR Excellence Ltd, Windsor House, 15 Kirklee Terrace, Kelvinside, Glasgow, Scotland, G12 0TJ Tel: 00-44-(0)-141-357-2516 Mobile:00-44-(0)-774-037-1909 Email: peter@prexcellence.com

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