Record breaking number of runners take part in Plymouth's Half Marathon 2016

Plymouth runners were treated to spectacular morning on The Hoe, with a record breaking 4,734 eager participants taking on the challenge of Plymouth’s Half Marathon in clear running conditions. The sun bought out thousands of cheering spectators, lining the seafront to cheer on the city’s half marathon and Schools Challenge runners!

The men’s race was won by Phil Burden in one hour 11 minutes and 17 seconds, followed by Sam Pictor in one hour 11 minutes and 32 seconds, and Philip Bridge took third in one hour 11 minutes and 37 seconds. The women’s race was won by Eleanor Davies in one hour 17 minutes and 33 seconds, followed by Annabel Granger in one hour 20 minutes and 17 seconds, and Rebecca Ezra took third in one hour 25 minutes and 33 seconds.

The sell-out race started 9.00am on the Hoe, providing the perfect picturesque backdrop to set off Plymouth’s runners. As the route wrapped around the harbour, participants followed a flat, straight course, which eventually led them into the stunning grounds of Saltram Park, for a fast downhill stretch passing Saltram House, with stunning views across Plymouth.

The main race was followed in style by the Schools Challenge, where 2,600 pupils and 400 teachers took on the final mile of their own half marathon challenge, raising funds for CLIC Sargent in the South West, the cancer charity for children and young people. Many runners used Plymouth’s Half Marathon as challenge to raise funds for a number of fantastic charities; from the Devonport Police Station officers who ran for Crimestoppers, to Joff Cooke who ran for Alzheimer’s Research UK In memory of his father, the event will benefit an incredible number of good causes in and around the local area of Plymouth.

Jamie Warren, Head of Marketing at GO2, said: “We have seen nearly 1,000 more runners to take to the streets of Plymouth today compared to 2015, motivated throughout the entire course by an incredible number of supporters that helped each and every last one of our runners through every mile. Congratulations to all that took part, from the elites right through to all our fun runners. The increasing popularity of the race is a positive testament to how Plymouth residents embrace the half marathon as a real community event, and motivate more and more people every year to join us on The Hoe for Plymouth’s Half Marathon!”

If you feel inspired to follow in the footsteps of Plymouth’s runners, pre-registration is now open for next year’s event at www.plymouthhalfmarathon.com