THOUSANDS of people will pound the streets of Exeter in the Great West Run this morning.
The event on Sunday will see about 3,500 people taking on the half marathon through the city.
And conditions are dry and just about perfect for the run.
The race will start at 9am in Sidwell Street.
Runners will then go down the High Street, turn left into South Street, cross over Exe Bridges before turning right into Okehampton Road, where the route opens up to give a flat straight section through Exwick. Once out of the city centre, runners will go along St Andrews Road and on to Stoke Woods.
They then climb towards the university, running along Prince of Wales Road, overlooking the city centre.
Runners will then follow an out-and-back route along Pinhoe Road and Blackboy Road, finishing back where they began at Sidwell Street.
Organisers say the new route will be a more accessible course for competitors and spectators, allowing the maximum number of people to see the event.
Jamie Warren, marketing manager at GO2, said: "The half marathon, sponsored by Tozers Solicitors, aims to showcase the best of Exeter, taking a central route through the city centre, Exwick, the university and Pinhoe Road, as well as the country lanes of St Andrew's Road and on towards Stoke Woods.
"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 year's race, and will look to enhance it for all those planning to be involved in 2014."
As well as its previously announced fundraising activities, organisers have announced the event will raise funds for Newtown Community Association's appeal to replace its Second World War hut.
The official charity partners for the race are Cancer Research UK and Devon Air Ambulance Trust. The Schools' Challenge is also returning, 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.
Visit the website www.thegreatwestrun.co.uk for more details.
Next week's Echo will include a pullout with pictures and a full list of results.
