Taunton Marathon and Half Marathon details

The races first took place in 1983 and have missed only one year since, because of the foot and mouth epidemic.

The event is one of few in the South West to offer both 26 and 13 mile distances and has a high reputation on the athletics circuit. It holds a Gold Grade from the British Association of Road Races.

“We reached our maximum 1,200 entries for the half early this year,” said race director John Lewis.

“Sadly the Bath and Weston events fell victim to the snow and a lot of runners turned to us.

"Add to that the 200 who are signed up for the marathon itself and we have a spectacular event again.

"Across the two races we have over 600 runners representing more than 100 clubs and running groups between them.

"The half marathon is split fairly evenly between men and women but the ratio is five to one for the longer distance.

“For 35 years Bridgwater and Taunton College has hosted the event. The facilities are fantastic and I know other race organisers are quite envious.

"We’re very grateful to them and to all the other businesses and organisations that support us.

"We’re very happy to have Ashfords Solicitors as headline sponsors for the sixth year, and to have Nuffield Healthcare as part of the team again.

"Tesco is providing the 6,600 bottles water and 1,400 bananas the runners will consume and Wellington Motors the race lead vehicles.”

CHARITIES.

Taunton Carnival Committee organises the marathon and half marathon to raise funds both for local charities and to help put on the illuminated procession in October.

”For our 35th year St Margaret’s Hospice is our nominated charity and they’ll get a donation from every entry fee.

"On top of this we know runners will raise many thousands of pounds for a lot of other worthy causes,” said chairman Marilyn House.

THE COURSE.

The races start from the college in Wellington Road at 10.30am.

The route takes runners past Tesco and over the river into Bridge Street, out along Staplegrove Road to Norton Fitwarren and the B3227 to Hillcommon.

Then it’s across country through Oake and Bradford-on-Tone, turning off before the A38 to run up through Hele and Upcott and up the sharp Shutewater Hill into Bishop's Hull village.

The final stage is down over Netherclay and into Heron Drive, then it’s a sprint through the college grounds to the finish line for the 1,200 half marathon runners.

That’s just halfway for the 200 or so marathon runners who set out on their second lap.

There are many vantage points around the circuit where spectators can cheer them on their way.

As well as the bottled water, the runners will use over 5,000 sponges during their 26 or 13 mile efforts.

These come from eight stations around the route manned by local Scouts, Army Cadets and Majorettes.

Their efforts at the finish are rewarded by T-shirts and medals, with a well deserved banana to boost their recovery.

Even though many runners are regulars at the event and know the course well there will be plenty of marshals to make sure no-one goes the wrong way and help them all safely through the traffic.

St John Ambulance provide the essential medical backup in case anyone is injured or ill while taking part.

TAUNTON FUN RUNS.

For those not keen or too young to take on the longer distances the Taunton Fun Runs will go off just after the main event.

Runners have a choice of either the 1.4km over hard ground or the longer 2km version using the playing field perimeter (weather permitting).

Both courses are entirely within the college campus and do not involve running on the highway.

Entries for this are still open and will be taken on the day right up to the overall limit of 150.

ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS.

Although the organisers plan to keep disruption to a minimum there will be some traffic congestion and delays during the day.

Keeping competitors and motorists alike safe is most important and with 1,400 entries there will be some hold ups, especially as the pack heads through the town on the first lap.

Traffic will be stopped in Wellington Road in both directions for about 10 minutes from 10.25am to allow the runners to leave the off-road start line at Bridgwater and Taunton College at 10.30am prompt.

As the pack passes along Tangier Way and Bridge Street vehicles will be held at the various junctions to let them all through.

Once out towards Staplegrove runners will begin to spread out and traffic will be able to pass with care.

Silk Mills Road will be closed to through traffic from 10.30am to 3pm in both directions between Heron Drive and Bindon Road.

This will allow the runners to come safely out of Netherclay Lane and get across Silk Mills Road.

The road is open at the Bishop's Hull end for two way traffic to Heron Drive, with access to St Margaret’s Hospice and Abbeyfield. Diverted traffic will travel through the town centre or Tangier Way.

The bridge at Bradford-on-Tone is a pinchpoint, with traffic being seriously affected as runners tackle the single lane structure.

This year the bridge will be closed between 11am and 1pm to all traffic. The diversion is via Nynehead.

Drivers in Bishop's Hull itself are asked to follow a voluntary one-way system that flows with the runners, down Bishop's Hull Hill and Netherclay Lane, but up Waterfield Drive.

All other roads are open during the event. Motorists are asked to be co-operative and patient as any delays will be of a relatively short duration.

TIMING CHIPS.

Runners have timing chips attached to their running numbers.

These record times electronically and help produce results very quickly.

The simple slogan is ‘No Chip No Time’ so runners will need to pin on their numbers securely.

The chips give runners individual times for distance but under England Athletics rules the competitive element is decided on ‘gun time’.

The first across the line will take the major prizes, with more than 20 other awards, including local and age categories, being contested in each event.

The course best times have stood since the first few years of the event. Westbury Harriers’ Maurice Cowman stormed around the marathon distance 2 hours 16 minutes and 45 seconds in 1983, the very first year the event was held. No-one has been within six minutes of that since.

Danny Kelly's half marathon 65 minutes 44 seconds came in 1984, and Cathy Newman holds both women's records with a 2.53.03 marathon in 1985 and a 1.16.14 half four years later.