Following Mo Farah’s dramatic Gold medal win on Saturday night, Royal Caribbean International has announced that it will waive the 5K race entry fee for anyone who books a place on the Royal 5K cruise before Friday 17 August.

Now in its second year, the 2012 the Royal 5K running event will be held in Philipsburg, St. Maarten on 4 December 2012. The race is open to all those cruising onboard Oasis of the Seas and the entry fee is normally $25 to participate.

The special race coincides with a cruise itinerary dedicated to running enthusiasts that includes running themed activities, such as:

*  Social fun runs and beach workouts
*  Private meet-and-greet sessions with high-profile racing athletes
*  Seminars and lectures with high-profile athletes
*  Personal training tips from experts
*  Speed tests on the onboard running track

The 7-night Eastern Caribbean Royal 5K fly/cruise starts from £1,403 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom, transfers and return flights from London Heathrow) and includes meals, entertainment, all running related events onboard and entry into the Royal 5K race. The cruise departs from Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA) on 1 December 2012 and calls at Nassau (Bahamas), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) and Philipsburg (St. Maarten) – location of the Royal 5K, before returning to Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA) for the flight home.

The exclusive six day offer follows Mo Farah’s Gold medal winning performance in the final of the men’s 5K race with an amazing time of 13 minutes, 41.66 seconds. With Mo Farah and other British athletes dominating the podium at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Royal Caribbean International has also seen a surge in the number of people enrolling in its popular Royal Caribbean Runners programme both on land and at sea.

Dominic Paul, Vice President and group managing director, Royal Caribbean International, Europe – and keen triathlete - commented:
“Mo Farah’s electrifying performance has inspired the runner in all of us. With interest in our Royal Caribbean Runners groups really taking off and the fitness facilities onboard our ships busier than ever, we thought what better way to show our support for Team GB than by waiving the entry fee for this year’s Royal 5K race. From sports courts to surf simulators, making investments that get people active has always been a key part of Royal Caribbean International’s business and we’re thrilled to be paying tribute to one of our country’s finest athletes in hopes of encouraging experienced runners and novices alike to join us on a running themed holiday at sea.”

As well as running, the cruise line is credited with bringing sports such as surfing, rock climbing and ice skating to life at sea through its comprehensive on-board facilities. Royal Caribbean International’s ship, Oasis of the Seas, features a jogging track that stretches around the ship – just under three laps of the circuit is a one mile run. Plus, the ship also features one of the largest gyms at sea packed with over 120 machines, as well as other fitness activities such as a rock climbing wall, surf simulator and ice skating rink.