Date announced for this year’s Great West Run

Following on from the success of Exeter’s Great West Run in 2013, race organisers GO2 are pleased to announce Sunday 19 October as the official date for this year's half marathon alongside Exeter based Tozers Solicitors, who have been named as the new race sponsors.

Rachel Elliott, Business Development Manager for Tozers Solicitors, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Great West Run, as it is such a longstanding and successful event in the region’s sporting calendar.

"As well as promoting this run to our clients, we are also encouraging our business contacts to enter a team into the Company Challenge, which the team at Tozers will soon be training hard to compete in!”

Much of the route will remain the same for 2014, with a city centre start and finish to provide the perfect course profile for runners to find a good rhythm and really get into their stride. It also proves great for supporters hoping to catch a glimpse of friends and family taking part in the race.

A few adjustments will be made to the route to improve the run and access around Exeter following feedback from the Highways Agency, runners, residents and local businesses. Further information will be announced in the coming months.

Amy Budd, Marketing Manager at GO2, said: “We are delighted to have such a great local business onboard, fully supporting Exeter’s Great West Run and encouraging their staff to take on the Company Challenge, which is new for 2014. 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!

“The people of Exeter fully embraced the 2013 event, with residents coming out in their thousands to cheer on the runners. With more entries anticipated for 2014, we know Exeter will continue to do itself proud!”

The official charity partners for the 2014 race are Cancer Research UK and soon to be announced a local charity partner, both will be recruiting a number of runners to join their team. The Schools’ Challenge will also return for 2014, where local primary schools take on the challenge of achieving a half marathon distance in the weeks leading up to race day and completing the challenge by running the final mile on the stage of the half marathon.

Exeter’s Great West Run is open to runners of all abilities; those hungry for a PB, to raise money for charity and those who just want to complete a personal challenge and cross the finish line. Whatever your reason for taking part, you can rest assured that this is one challenge you won’t be doing alone. As one of thousands of runners, the GO2 team ensures each and every participant has access to dedicated half marathon training plans, and all the required information to prepare you for race day, making it all the more enjoyable.

To make your mark in 2014, you can visit www.thegreatwestrun.co.uk where you can take the first step in pre-registering for Exeter’s Great West Run to be the first to hear when entries open and save £5 with the early bird offer.