Run organisers announce local partnership
Organisers of Exeter’s Great West Run, sponsored by Tozers Solicitors, are pleased to announce a new local partnership with Newtown Community Association for 2014. As part of the events publicity and fundraising schedule, the run will support the associations New Hut Vision project, which aims to replace the Second World War hut in Belmont Park.
The park is particularly poignant for the 2014 Great West Run, as it has been announced alongside the route amends, as this years race village location. The move will provide runners and spectators with a much more accessible route into the village from Belmont Road and Blackboy Road, and then onto the start finish line on Sidwell Street.
The half marathon aims to showcase the best of Exeter, taking a central route through the City Centre, Exwick, the University, Pinhoe Road as well as the beautiful country lanes of St Andrew’s Road and on towards Stoke Woods.
Jamie Warren, Marketing Manager at GO2, said: “The race day experience of our runners is paramount across all of our events, as well as ensuring that the local community and runners’ friends and family can easily access those important meeting and cheer spots. The small tweaks made to Exeter’s Great West Run have been put in place following feedback from last years race, and will look to enhance it for all those planning to be involved in 2014.
“Creating events and building partnerships that support the surrounding local community is also of high importance to GO2, and we are proud to be working with Newtown Community Association to ensure Belmont Park and its facilities can continue to be used by the public for generations to come.”
Derek Burnside, NCA treasurer, said: “Newtown Community Association’s New Hut Vision project aims to replace the faithful old World War Two hut in Belmont Park, which is now nearing the end of its useful life, with a purpose built, environmentally friendly community hub that will serve the city for decades to come. We really appreciate Exeter’s Great West Run’s support for this exciting initiative!”
The official charity partners for the 2014 race are Cancer Research UK and Devon Air Ambulance Trust. 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 race day.
Susan Fitzgerald, Cancer Research UK sports team said, “We are thrilled to be announced as the Official National Charity for Exeter’s 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 Exeter’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."
Exeter’s Great West Run, sponsored by Tozers Solicitors, will be taking place on Sunday 19th October. Registrations are now open at www.thegreatwestrun.co.uk where you can take advantage of the £5 discount early bird offer until 6th May 2014.
