Over 900 run new city centre course

The 14th annual Michelmores charity race attracted 920 entrants to run around a brand new city centre course starting in Cathedral Yard and finishing at Exeter Castle.

Started by celebrity chef Michael Caines, the men’s race was won by Simon Longthorpe with Emma Hitchins the first women home. Karen Cook and Franks Reay won the veterans competitions while solicitors Foot Anstey won the corporate event.  Promotional clothing distributors, Pencarrie entered the largest team with Nike+ Run Club Exeter the first running club to finish.

Michelmores duo Jeff Nichols and Philip Maddick were rewarded in the fancy dress category for running as King Arthur and the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Race organiser Sacha Pickering commented: “It was great to see the Michelmores run back in the city centre with numbers of entrants increased on the last couple of years.  We had some very positive feedback from runners who thought that the new route was pleasingly challenging especially the last hill up to Exeter Castle.

“The increase in numbers clearly indicates that the decision to come back to the city centre is a very popular move and we will look at getting over 1,000 competitors next year.”

The event culminated with a prize-giving ceremony and music by Adam Isaac of The Voice fame.

The race is expected to raise over £25,000 for local charity Families for Children, bringing the total raised by the event over 14 years to nearly £300,000.