Thousands take part in GWR: PICS

Four-time Olympian runner and European 10,000 metre champion Jo Pavey delighted crowds in Exeter on Sunday morning, as she started 2,842 participants off on the iconic 31st Exeter’s Great West Run, sponsored by Tozers!

Shaun Antell from Bideford AAC improved on his third place from last years race, by taking the winning spot in one hour ten minutes and seven seconds, in good running conditions. In second place was Berihu Hadera from Exeter Harriers in one hour ten minutes and fifty two seconds, followed by Andrew Chambers in one hour ten minutes and fifty five seconds.

Best women's performances were from Annabel Granger from Bristol West AC in one hour twenty one minutes and sixteen seconds, with last year’s winner Hannah Brooks finishing second in one hour twenty two minutes and thirteen seconds, and Tamsin Lewis third in one hour twenty four minutes and nineteen seconds. The race also boasted its own record breaker in Sam Hopton, who broke the world record for the fastest male to run a half marathon dressed as a bottle by nearly twelve minutes!

2,842 runners completed the 13.1 mile race, along with a record breaking 1,320 primary school pupils from across Exeter, who took on the Schools’ Challenge to fundraise for Devon Air Ambulance, also started by Jo Pavey. She said: “I am extremely honoured to be part of Exeter’s Great West Run today. It has been fantastic to see the event grow over the years, and the number of people that have come out today to show their support is incredible. I really enjoyed watching all the primary school children take on the last stage of their Schools’ Challenge too, it’s a great way to inspire young people into the sport of running. They were having a great time out there!”

Organisers GO2 were delighted with the turnout, and continue to see the event grow in popularity. Jamie Warren, Head of Marketing and Commercial at GO2, said: "Exeter has such a rich running history, with the likes of our race starter Jo Pavey even recalling volunteering at the Great West Run as a young runner with her club Exeter Harriers. The city always does itself proud, with an ever growing number of race entries across the main race and Schools’ Challenge, as well as the incredible level of support shown by friends, family and residents. Congratulations to every runner that crossed the finish line today, and thank you to every spectator that took the time to come out and cheer our runners on. You made a huge difference to their race!”

If you feel inspired by this year’s run, pre-registration is now open for next year’s race at www.thegreatwestrun.co.uk where you can sign up to be first to hear when entries open!