Building up to Plymouth's Half Marathon

With just over two weeks to go until Plymouth’s Half Marathon in association with Babcock, the 5,000 runners signed up for this year’s event are sure to be feeling a mix of nerves, anticipation, and above all excitement ahead of their half marathon challenge on Sunday 27 April.

The race will start in style at 9am on the Hoe, and then proceed along the seafront towards the Barbican. As the route wraps around the harbour, runners will follow a flat, straight course along Gdynia Way, crossing Laira Bridge. After crossing the bridge, runners will take a gradual climb along Billacombe Road, and into the stunning grounds of Saltram Park, where runners can enjoy a fast downhill stretch passing Saltram House with views across Plymouth.

With a city start and finish, race organisers GO2 are encouraging as many local people to come out to show their support for the Plymouth runners.

Jamie Warren, Marketing Manager, GO2 said: “This years event has proved to be incredibly popular with over 5,000 entries, so we have more runners than ever that need your support! We are encouraging everyone to take to their doorsteps to cheer on our runners through the 13.1 mile course!”

“From elite runners, right through to all those fantastic fundraisers who have taken on the challenge to do something amazing for a good cause, everyone feeds off the support of the spectators. It really makes a massive difference to everyone taking part!”

The official charity partners for the 2014 race are Cancer Research UK and Children’s Hospice South West, alongside CLIC Sargent who have partnered with the race for The Schools Challenge. A massive £130,000 was raised in 2013 by all the half marathon charity partners and many more thousands of pounds for other charities.

There will of course be hundreds of runners out there fundraising for a number of worthy causes. Ryan Runacres will be running to raise funds for the Izzy Dix Memorial Group, the first of three challenges in 2014 to help young individuals that have been affected by bullying.

Reigning Miss Devon Leanne Ward has been training hard for Plymouth’s Half Marathon, raising money for Lady Taverners, a charity which gives a sporting chance to disadvantaged and disabled young people.

Alice Crews will be taking part in aid of Cancer Research UK and in memory of her best friend, Zoe Wright. This will be Alice’s first running event and she had not even considered entering until the day of her friend’s funeral, when Zoe’s husband, Stephen Wright, offered her Zoe’s running kit.

You can follow all the excitement around the preparation leading up to race day on Plymouth’s Half Marathon Facebook page and Twitter @PlymouthHalf. Organisers will also be providing updates throughout the race and after.

All other information can be found on www.plymouthhalfmarathon.com.