Jo Pavey to start Exeter's Great West Run

GO2, organisers of Exeter’s Great West Run, sponsored by Tozers, are pleased to announce four-time Olympian and European 10,000 metre champion Jo Pavey, as the official race starter at Exeter’s iconic event taking place on Sunday 18 October.

Born in Honiton, Devon, Jo is a familiar face on the local running scene, as a member of Exeter Harriers Athletics Club.

Pavey is a four-time Olympian, having represented Great Britain in every Olympic Games from 2000 to 2012. As well as winning European gold in 2014, she was also the 2012 European Championship silver medallist in the 10,000 metre and a two-time 5,000 metre medallist at the Commonwealth Games, winning silver in Melbourne 2006 and bronze in Glasgow 2014.

Jo said: “Being part of Exeter’s Great West Run is truly an honour. As a local resident and club runner, the event has been a firm fixture in Exeter for many, many years, and to see it go from strength to strength is really promising for the next generation of runners in the South West. The race passes some of my favourite city sights, and takes in all that is great about Exeter. Good luck to everyone taking part, and I will definitely be looking forward to seeing all of your faces at the start line!”

Jamie Warren, Head of Marketing and Commercial at GO2, said: “We are extremely proud to have such an iconic athlete and Exeter runner seeing our participants off at Exeter’s 31st Great West Run! As a mum of two, and winning her first major accolade less than a year after giving birth to her second child, Jo is a true inspiration to all of our runners that have chosen to take on Exeter’s Great West run; from the fundraisers and beginners, right through to the more seasoned runners in search of that PB! Hopefully Jo’s presence will give our runners that extra surge of motivation to see them through the 13.1 mile course!”

To be part of Exeter’s Great West Run this October, visit www.thegreatwestrun.co.uk, where you can join thousands of runners who have already taken on the challenge!