Lloyd's Register's CEO to Run in the Historic 2500th Athens Marathon
CEO Richard Sadler to Celebrate Lloyd's Register's 250th Anniversary by Leading a Company Team in the 2,500th Running of the Athen's Marathon
Donations to support the activities of the Hellenic Merchant Marine Academies
Lloyd’s Register’s Chief Executive Richard Sadler will be leading a four-strong company team of dedicated athletes on the historic 2,500th running of the Athens marathon on October 31 in a bid to raise money for marine academies in Greece.
Sadler, a founding member of the Marathon 2500 Anniversary Committee, will be joined by three colleagues from the different business sectors and regions where Lloyd's Register provides independent technical support to its clients.
"This is obviously a historic year for the Athens marathon and for our Group, so it is wholly appropriate for this team to celebrate the two events simultaneously by taking part in a marathon on the 'original course'," said Sadler. "Promoting maritime safety, sustainability and the continuous development of vital technical expertise are core activities for Lloyd's Register as the Group seeks to fulfill our public-benefit mandate. And supporting the activities of marine academies in Greece, one of the world's great ship-owning nations, is a very effective way for us to do that."
The Athens marathon follows what is referred to as the 'original course', from the ancient city of Marathon to the Panathinaikon Stadium in Athens. This route was first run by Pheidippides, the news-bearing foot soldier from ancient Athens who announced the Greek victory against the Persians in the battle of Marathon in 490BC.
The name ‘One Team’ was hand chosen by Sadler from 34 entries submitted by athletes, fundraisers and enthusiasts in acknowledgement of the global reach of the Group's member organizations and the single purpose with which they seek to benefit society through their commercial activities.
Sadler will be joined on the marathon by Lieven Vriens, an assessor for LRQA in Antwerp, Kevin Tsang, a pipeline risk consultant for Celerity3 in Calgary and Siân Stephens, an administrator from the Liverpool office.
A reserve team has been selected, if any of the original four prove unable to run. Joe Elliott, from the marine business in London, Rodrigo Carvallo from LRQA in Valparaiso, Chile, and Chae-hyun Bae, a senior surveyor in Shanghai are also in training if they are needed.
The full seven-strong team is presently engaged in a combined training regime of 300 miles a week. “Most of us are way out of our comfort zone with more challenges to come," said Sadler. "We are regularly communicating on training tips and providing general support. The team spirit is running high.”
They are raising funds in collaboration with the Union of Greek Shipowners to support the Hellenic merchant marine academies. Greece has been a vital part of Lloyd’s Register’s history throughout its 250-year history, so the academies' programs are fitting causes to support this strong legacy of seafaring.
Lloyd’s Register is appealing for generous donations to support this worthy cause. For details on how to donate e-mail: [email protected]. More information on the Athens Classic Marathon can be found at www.athensclassicmarathon.gr.
Celebrating 250 years of service
In 1760, 11 men met in Edward Lloyd’s coffee house to talk about publishing a list of ships, a register to define their quality and safeguard life and property carried on them. In the years since then we have applied our expertise across the energy and transportation sectors, helping to make the world a safer place. In 2010 we are celebrating 250 years of service and quality and we are looking forward to the new challenges the future brings.