Exeter man to run his 31st Great West Run

Graham Hopkins, a 60 year old man from Exeter, ran his first ever Exeter’s Great West Run when it was first hosted in 1985, and has completed it every year since, with 2015 set to be his 31st!

Graham has always had a love for running and taking on long-distance races. After watching the first London Marathon in 1981, he wanted to run it for himself and so entered the 1982 London Marathon and was lucky enough to be accepted.

Whilst training for the London marathon, Graham discovered that Exeter had also organised its first full marathon and decided to enter. With only a couple of weeks between the two marathons, Graham successfully completed them both with the impressive times of 3:29 for Exeter and 3:41 for London.

Graham went on to complete Exeter’s Marathon in 1983 and 1984, until they stopped the full marathon in 1985.  With this came the introduction of Exeter’s Great West Run, which he completed and has continued to run every year, since 1985.

Graham said: “I’m not exactly sure why I keep running them, but it’s a great way of keeping fit. I am 60 years old now, but hopefully there are still another five Great West Run’s left in me!”

Graham has previously raised money for a remarkable number of charities including the Air Ambulance, Mencap, Chordoma, Cancer Relief and the Exeter Amateur Boxing Club in 1982.

Impressively, Graham has no training plan.  He said: “I just run when I have time. I don’t get nervous anymore, but the crowds really do help on race day, especially towards the end”.

To be part of Exeter’s Great West Run, taking place 18th October 2015 visit www.thegreatwestrun.co.uk where you too can sign up today!