New 4* hotel group Amba to sponsor first City of London Mile

New contemporary 4-star hotel group Amba Hotels — which launches later this year in some of the capital's most prestigious locations — has been unveiled as the title sponsor of the inaugural City of London Mile, which has been named the 'Amba Hotels City of London Mile'.

A range of runners from international elites and Olympic medallists through to school-age children and business teams will have the opportunity to run in the new event — which is being held, for the very first time, in the year which marks sixty years since Sir Roger Bannister ran the world's first sub-four-minute mile.

The Amba Hotels City of London Mile is set to rival New York's famous NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile and is open to everyone, raising funds for the two official charity partners, Macmillan Cancer Support and Trinity Hospice. Organisers of London's newest and most accessible race expect up to 5,000 people to take part and run Britain's most historically important distance.

Taking place on Sunday, June 22nd, the event starts and finishes next to St. Paul's Cathedral and follows a historic route, which takes in Mansion House, the Bank of England, Guildhall and St Mary le Bow Church. The route also covers part of the London Olympic Marathon course.

Amba Hotels — Europe's largest four-star brand launch with 2088 rooms in the capital by 2016 — is launching with four hotels, situated just a few paces from world famous landmarks: Charing Cross, Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch and Tower Bridge. Signifying a step change in the four star market, which can lack differentiation, says the company, an Amba hotel will combine "a fantastic location with genuine warmth, intuitive service and technology to ensure both business and leisure travellers get the most out of their stay".

Amba Hotels CEO Belinda Atkins commented: "Amba's sponsorship of the City of London Mile is part of Amba's ambition and commitment to support and be an active part of London's cultural and sporting scene".

"At Amba our promise to guests is personalised service, seamless technology that actually works and authentic experiences in the best locations around the world. The Amba Hotels City of London Mile is one of those authentic experiences which we will grow year-on-year for the enjoyment of Londoners and visitors to the capital alike".

Amba will be lending its name and support to the race and a new event logo has been launched.

Race Director Tom Snow commented: "We are pleased to welcome Amba Hotels as the title sponsor of the City of London Mile, and we are looking forward to growing the race and to fulfilling the Olympic Legacy in the heart of the city with their support. The course is iconic, fast and flat, and, with the Mile being Britain's most historically important distance, we look forward to bringing the Amba Hotels City of London Mile to the city in June".

Alderman Fiona Woolf, Lord Mayor of London, commented: "Competition is a fact of life in the City. This race will give participants the opportunity to settle any rivalries on the Square Mile streets as opposed to the trading floor. Sport and business go hand-in-hand so it is important that the City plays its part in supporting the Olympic Legacy".

Further official race partners announced so far include London Athletics, Run!, High 5, One New Change and Run-Fast.

With a tagline of 'How fast can you run a mile?', the Amba Hotels City of London Mile consists of five events: Family Mile, Youth Mile, Corporate Mile, International Mile and City of London Mile. A total of 5,000 places are available for the inaugural race this June.

For more information about the race itself, click here.

For more information about Amba Hotels, play this video ...