Entries now open for Exeter's 29th Great West Run
GO2, Organisers of Exeter’s Great West Run, sponsored by Tozers are pleased to announce that entries for the 2014 half marathon race taking place on Sunday 19 October 2014 are now open.
Following on from the great success in 2013, over 2,000 participants have already pre-registered for the 2014 race, as organisers predict a high uptake of their early bird £5 discount for those that sign up by 6 May 2014.
Jamie Warren, Marketing Manager at GO2, said: "After such positive feedback in 2013, we are extremely pleased to announce that entries are now open! With six months to go until race day, now is the perfect time to set yourself a challenge! Whether you’re a regular runner and want to beat your PB, or if you’re simply looking to set yourself a personal goal to get fit and fundraise, this is a half marathon for everyone.
“The Great West Run is now in its 29th year and is a highlight in the South West racing calendar. We are expecting over 3,500 entries for this great event and look forward to creating a community experience for both runners and supporters alike.”
This year’s event will see the race village located in Belmont Park with the start line once again based on Sidwell Street. The half marathon route that follows one single lap through the heart of Exeter has one slight tweak for 2014, in order to improve access for residents and the new route map will be released shortly. As in previous years, The Great West Run is expected to attract great support from runners, spectators, race volunteers, local businesses and charity partners.
The Company Challenge is a popular addition, where work colleagues can enter a team to complete the course together. Teams can be made up of a minimum of 4 entrants. The winning time will be comprised by the top four fastest finishers within a mixed team.
Jamie continued: “The Company Challenge is a great way to inspire a workplace, set a challenge and motivate employees to be active and take part in a great community event! It’s also a great opportunity for some healthy industry competition between rival companies!”
The Schools Challenge will also return for 2014, where children will complete a half marathon distance accompanied by their teachers, by running a mile a week over a 12 week period. Schools will then complete their challenge by running that final mile at Exeter’s Great West Run.
The event is sponsored by Tozers Solicitors. Jill Headford, partner at Tozers Solicitors, said: “My firm is delighted to sponsor Exeter’s Great West Run. It is a real community event in which runners of all abilities can take part. We are doubly thrilled because our charity of the year – Devon Air Ambulance – has just been appointed the official local charity partner for the run.
"I would like to wish lots of luck to all the runners tackling this half marathon, among them more than a few intrepid Tozers people as well as many of our contacts around Exeter who will be taking on the Company Challenge. I hope everyone achieves their individual goals targets and PBs - as well as raising shed loads of money for charity.”
The official charity partners for 2014’s race are Cancer Research UK and Devon Air Ambulance.
Susan Fitzgerald, Cancer Research UK sports team said: “We are thrilled to be announced as the Official National Charity for the Great West Run. Every day, 84 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South West and we spent over £6 million last year on leading scientific and clinical research in the area. Thankfully cancer death rates in the South West have fallen by more than a fifth over the last twenty years. Our research to beat cancer is entirely funded by the public, so every step towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated. If you are taking part in this fantastic event then please join our team and help us beat cancer sooner.”
Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director of Devon Air Ambulance Trust said: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the Official Local Charity for this year’s Great West Run and are very much looking forward to working in partnership with the event team. Events such as this are truly at the heart of the community and, as such, we are able to encourage our fantastic supporters to get involved and take part in order to support us and make this the best Great West Run ever."
For more information and to secure your race day place, please visit www.thegreatwestrun.co.uk
Runners can take advantage of the £5 early bird discount for those that sign up by 6 May 2014.
