Charity run forced to change name

Organisers of a Norfolk charity run have changed its name over concerns it would be confused with the Great North Run in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk was contacted by lawyers representing the organisers of the more famous race asking for the change.

It said there were worries runners could be confused by the name of the 10k (6.2 mile) Great East Anglia Run.

The 3 May run in King's Lynn is now called the Grand East Anglia Run.

A council spokeswoman said: "We had a letter from lawyers representing the Great North Run.

We don't think it's right for us to spend public money in legal arguments King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council spokeswoman

"The letter raised a 'passing off' issue. We've tried to get more detail from them but haven't had a response.

"We've made the decision to change the word 'Great' to 'Grand'.

"This is a charity event. We don't think it's right for us to spend public money in legal arguments over something like this.

"People tend to refer to the race as 'Gear' anyway so the word 'Grand' won't change that."

The Great North Run is next due to be staged over a 13.2 mile (21k) course on 20 September.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version