Great West Run.
Celebrating over 40 years of one of the UK's oldest half marathons.
The Great West Run has been challenging participants since 1985, making it one of the oldest half marathons in the UK. WMP has run the event since 2019, growing it year on year, with new 10K and Community Mile events added in 2022 to bring in even more runners.
Expertise
Background.
One of the UK's oldest half marathons, growing under WMP since 2019.
The Great West Run has been challenging participants since 1985, and is one of the oldest half marathons in the UK.
With a route that takes in the country roads around Exeter, as well as the bustling city centre and lively university campus, the Great West Run offers a challenging course for both new and more experienced runners. Alongside a number of charity partners and title sponsor Bishop Fleming, WMP has grown one of the largest fundraising events in the South West year on year since taking it on in 2019.
The Solution.
New race formats built to bring in new runners.
Adding new race formats to open the event up to more people.
Under WMP's stewardship, the event has gone from strength to strength, with new 10K and Community Mile events added in 2022 to bring in more runners alongside the traditional half marathon. It's now part of WMP's South West Run Series, alongside sister events the Weston Super Half and Run Cheltenham. Building on a successful 40th anniversary event in 2025, WMP continues to deliver a best-in-class experience for runners, sponsors and charity partners.
Let's work together
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The impact.
6,000+ runners and £350,000+ raised a year.
The 2026 event delivered the Great West Run's strongest year yet with more participants and more money raised for charity than ever before. Entries have grown over 70% in three years, with charity fundraising increasing 21% year-on-year. With more than 90% of participants rating their overall experience 4 stars and above, the event remains a much-loved fixture in the Exeter calendar.
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Runners a year
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Participants rate the experience 4 stars and above
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Raised for charity annually
