Competitors take part in last year’s marathon. More than 600 have signed up to take part in this year’s race centred around Woolacombe, Croyde, Georgeham and Morethoe.

International competition field of more than 600 runners gets ready to take on second annual race event

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

MORE than 600 runners will be taking part in this weekend’s North Devon AONB marathon.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, double the amount of competitors have signed up to take part in Sunday’s race, with an international field comprising entrants from as far afield as Sweden, USA and New Zealand.

Places on the start line filled up weeks in advance of the race.

The 26-mile course is centred around Woolacombe beach and will take runners around Croyde, Georgeham and Morethoe.

The race starts on the Green in Woolacombe at 10am, with presentations for the winners taking place at 1pm for the half-marathon, and at 3pm for the full marathon, at the same location.

The event will raise money for North Devon Hospice and race organisers are encouraging spectators to head to Woolacombe to take in the spectacle.

“We are thrilled with the amount of people who have signed up,” said hospice fund-raiser Emma Lowe.

“That is a testament to how beautiful and challenging the course is, and also how many people want to take on the challenge in order to support North Devon Hospice.”

Among those supporting the event is the Manor House Inn in Croyde, which is hosting its own fund-raising barbecue in aid of the hospice.

Landlady, Helen Michael, believes the pub will be the best viewing spot on the whole 26-mile course.

“We would invite anyone – from friends and families of the runners, to interested spectators – to come along and enjoy the race from the comfort of our pub,” she said.

The pub will also be putting on a bouncy castle and live music during the day and all the money raised at the Manor House Inn, as well as the race itself, will go to North Devon Hospice.

“We support more than 100 people every day, completely free of charge, but it costs over £3million every year to fund this essential care,” added Emma.

“By supporting the North Devon Marathon in any way, you will be making a real difference to the lives of people in your local area.”

For more information about the event, contact Emma Lowe on (01271) 347213 or email emmalowe@northdevonhospice.org.uk