PLEASE NOTE:

With regret the 2010 Torbay Half Marathon will not now take place,

our aim is for it to return with an improved course for Sunday June 19th 2011.

Charities are race winners

Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 08:57

TWO top charities triumphed thanks to the Torbay Half Marathon — splitting a £1,850 donation.

Rowcroft Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support, the two nominated charities for this year's half marathon, received the pay-out from race director David Hyde.
The event took place in June, but David has spent the past few months sorting out all the sponsorship and donations.
David, who presented the money on behalf of Torbay Amateur Athletic Club and the Runners Guide, said: "Overall, the event raised a total of more than £10,000 for these charities and an estimated £50,000 for all charities through sponsorship raised by the runners from all over the UK and abroad who are attracted to this popular event which fills up every year."
Calvin Lovelock, Macmillan's fundraising manager and veteran of the Torbay Half Marathon, was delighted by the money.

He said: 'This is the fifth year Macmillan and Rowcroft have been chosen as the official race charities for this major community event.
"It really is a wonderful boost to the care and support we give to local people affected by cancer and life limiting conditions."
Hannah Simmons, from Rowcroft said: "The Torbay half marathon must have raised tens of thousands for our two charities over the past five years.
"Overall, it is estimated that the event probably generates around £50,000 per annum for charities."
Next year's event — the 20th in its history, being run on June 20 — could be the biggest ever, with an estimated 2,000 runners.
David added: "We have high hopes of improving the course and increasing the field for 2010."

IMPROVED COURSE FOR 2010 RACE

In the past, runners have toured two laps of Paignton Green before setting off towards Torquay. It has worked well enough but congestion for the mid to back enders of the field meant some delay waiting for the field to string out. For next year's race, only one lap of the green will be run and this should enable better running conditions for the race.

Message from the Race Director, David Hyde

Many thanks to all those who entered the 2009 event.

To leave your feedback email to:Info@torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk and to www.runnersworld.co.uk/ to leave your rating.

.To view all photo's see main page links

To watch the event video at http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/

Provisional date for next year is Sunday 20th June 2010

SUNDAY FORECASTED TO BE WARM AND DRY

A few checks to make:

Arrive in plenty of time on Sunday to loosen up and prepare yourself

From early Sunday morning drink plenty of water, or suitable fluid ... to be certain that you are fully hydrated before you run.

Check your running kit ..

Shoes and insoles all ok... timing chip attached before you run?

Wear short socks to avoid blisters,

Make certain that your garments do not rub against your body ....

... spread Vaseline on any vulnerable areas: chest area, inside tops of legs etc..

if these areas start to become uncomfortable it will spoil your run.

Drink... if only a little at every drinks station... there will be 8 on the course + the finish.

Do not run under someone else's race number - it will deprive someone else of a finishing position and possibly a prize!

Do not wear head phones, ear pieces, etc as you will not hear instructions on the course!

Please ensure that your timing chip is returned...thank you.

Enjoy a fantastic event.

An important reminder to all entrants

A message to the entrants that all race packs have now been despatched, please read the Race Instructions carefully, also if Sunday 21st is a warm day start to drink the appropriate fluids early in the morning in order to be certain that you are fully rehydrated.

TORBAY HALF MARATHON COMMITTEE

relaxing during a break in the final briefing ...

TORBAY HALF NOW FULL!

Sorry but..

The 2009 Torbay Half is now full, at a new record level of 1750 entries.

Keep up the training those lucky entrants - it's going to be a fantastic event!

Still plenty of places left in the 1 Mile Fun Run for those budding young athletes, with a special medal to every finisher plus other goodies. The Fun Run must start soon after 9:30am.

ONLINE ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED

Only postal entries accepted until the race limit of 1750 entries is reached. There are only about 200 places left, so you are STRONGLY advised to enter IMMEDIATELY to ensure your place in this year's event.

International entries

have been received from San Francisco USA, Holland and Spain.

Places going fast ...

For whatever reason, this year's race is proving very popular, you are strongly advised to enter as soon as possible. The race looks like being fully subscribed, before the closing date - even with the extra spaces allocated.

HERE IT IS!

...."This is the t-shirt that will be given free to every finisher of this years Torbay Half Marathon on 21st June, it is a very high quality garment, produced by a Company that also makes clothing for M&S and Nike.

.This "Dry Fit" Shirt in white and blue, has been made to a very high standard and finish, along with all of the printed logo's front and back.

The normal retail price of this item, with just a top sports brand logo, would be $30 in the USA that's around £20 in the UK and will make the Torbay Half Marathon event something very special and great value for the competitors entry fee.

I do not believe that there is another event in this country that will be giving such a high quality garment free to all finishers."

Race Director

As modelled by our Race Director!

A nice piece of kit ... ensure you get yours by entering now!

ENTRIES GOING FAST!

LATEST NEWS - RACE IS NOW HALF FULL


LATEST HERALD-EXPRESS Monday March 30th 2009 articles....

College staff on starting blocks

FLEET-FOOTED staff at Paignton Community and Sports College are limbering up for a mass assault on the Torbay Half Marathon.

More than 600 competitors have already signed up for the annual event — and more than 20 of those will be college employees.
They have been persuaded to take part by Simon Romaine, head of science, who is a regular runner himself.
Simon said: "We've got 21 people so far, with the possibility of about 10 more. My goal was to get 30, and I think I will get that.
"They are all staff so far, but next week the sixth form assembly will be asked if anyone is interested in taking part, so our numbers could grow even more.

"It'll be quite a crowd of us taking part, possibly the biggest corporate team in the race. I'd be surprised if there were any bigger. It's creating quite a bit of interest around here.
"There's not much rivalry among runners at the moment, but as we get closer to the big day rivalries might develop.
"We're a very diverse bunch. We've got people who've never done any kind of running, but we've also got some who are pretty good.
"We're hoping to raise money for a couple of charities, but those haven't been decided on yet."
Torbay Half Marathon takes place on June 21, with places available for 1,750 competitors.
Organisers are predicting it will be the best race in the competition's 19 years, with an international line-up which will include some world-class athletes.
The course stretches from Paignton Green, along Torquay seafront and back again.
There is also a one-mile fun run around Paignton Green for people of all ages.
Aspiring competitors can apply by filling in the entry form. Alternatively, log on to the Herald Express website at thisissouthdevon.co.uk and go to the sports or athletics sections, or the official website at www.torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk

RACE DIRECTOR UPDATE MARCH 16

ENTRIES COMING IN FAST THIS YEAR ...

We would like to advise possible entrants that we have over 500 entered to date which is up on the corresponding time last year and the 2008 event was full 3 weeks before race day.

In today's Herald Express:

VOLUNTEERS are needed to lend a helping hand at this year's Torbay Half Marathon.More than 300 competitors have already booked their places for the annual event, but a total of 1,750 are expected to take part.
Organisers are predicting it will be the best race in the competition's 19 years, and they are keen to hear from anyone who can assist on June 21.
David Hyde, race director, said: "Come along and be part of this spectacular running event, which raises thousands of pounds for local charities.
"No event of this scale could be a success without the support of enthusiastic volunteers to help marshal the course and assist at the start and finish area on Paignton Green.

"So we are looking to recruit people to help out in one of several activities. Volunteers must be aged 18 or over, and marshal vests will be provided.
"We need pre-race volunteers to guide competitors and take care of their baggage, and race marshals to guide runners around the course, offer assistance to competitors experiencing difficulty or assist in managing the crowds of spectators at the finish.
"We're also desperate for end-of-race volunteers to congratulate runners at the finish, present them with their goody bag and ensure they move quickly to be reunited with their proud family and friends."
The Torbay Half Marathon course stretches from Paignton Green, along Torquay seafront and back again.
Its growing reputation has meant that in recent years a number of internationally renowned runners have flown in from around the world to compete.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact David Hyde on 01626 862584 or email info@torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk

More on the t-shirt:

we are now offering a FREE top of the range
Dry-Fit breathable t-shirt to all half marathon finishers.
(normally retails at $30 in the USA)
Due to this change we can only offer small, medium or large
there will be no extra small or extra large available!

Latest news update:

Bays Brewery the new local brewers will have a bar area on Paignton Green near the Finish, where you will be able to relax, recover and try their Bays Best, Gold and Breaker ales, along with a selection of wines and soft drinks .

Race T-Shirt a top of the range Dry-Fit breathable material garment is being produced free for all finishers of this years Half Marathon worth $30 in USA

Over 300 entries to date.

Entries up on this time ...

... last year. Extra places allotted for this year's race to cater for demand for this most scenic of races in glorious Torbay.

Local paper and sponsor Herald Express article

RUNNERS are already limbering up for the biggest and best Torbay Half Marathon.

This summer Torquay and Paignton will host the 19th half marathon, with 1,750 competitors due to take part.
That's 100 more than the hugely successful event last year, when a new course record was set by Torquay-born Toby Lambert.
David Hyde, race director, said: "Looking at last year's half marathon, we felt we could take 100 more runners without any problems. We want to accommodate as many people as possible.
"The route will be the same along the seafront, although there might be an additional bit of the road closed to improve the event.

"We're talking to the police and council, who've both been very supportive of what we're doing. There's probably not such a scenic race as this in the country.
"This event brings lots of people into Torbay, and we've already got lots of people raising money for all sorts of charities.
"More than £30,000 was raised last year. Rowcroft and Macmillan are the official race charities again this year."
The Torbay Half Marathon's reputation has grown massively in recent years, with internationally renowned runners flying in from around the world to compete.
Event organisers say the event's status means it is now providing a big lift for tourism trade.
Mr Hyde added: "On average, half the runners will stay one night in Torbay, which equals 800 bed nights.
"Ten per cent of runners are new visitors to Torbay, so hopefully they will enjoy themselves and come back. Many already see it as a holiday opportunity.
"At this difficult time anything which puts Torbay on the tourism map has to be good.
"A number of local businesses have come forward and supported us, which we're grateful for."
Last year saw two world-class Kenyons and a Tanzanian go head-to-head with home-grown talent such as Kairn Stone and Toby Lambert.
Mr Hyde said: "I wouldn't be surprised if we get more runners like that this year. Torbay has a good reputation and many runners want to come here, and we certainly want to see the best here.
"It all makes the race the top-quality event it is. There were about 450 runners when we started and it's nearly got four times that now.
"At this time of year people are thinking about getting fitter, and with this race they've got six months to train and get ready. They can get a medal and feel proud of their achievement.
"Last year Toby set a new course record, so it'll be interesting to see if it gets broken again. This year there will be an extra £50 prize money for anyone breaking the record.
"Also, we've made the prize money the same for men and women. There's an additional prize for affiliated athletics club teams and a prize for the best fancy dress costume.
"Another change sees us using chip timing on competitors' shoes rather than in the back of their number. Apparently it's more efficient."
Torbay Half Marathon takes place on June 21, and people can apply to take part by filling in the form below. Visit the official website at www.torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk

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