Sunday 7th April sees Taunton’s 36th Marathon & Half Marathon take to the streets!
Around 1200 runners are expected to take part in the annual road race that began back in 1983 and is an established part of Taunton’s Calendar, organized by Taunton Carnival Committee.
Race HQ is at Bridgwater & Taunton College and the route takes runners along Wellington Road, Tangier Way, Bridge Street and out along Staplegrove Road through Norton Fitzwarren to Oake.
It then turns left across country to Bradford-on-Tone and then, in a major change introduced recently through Hele and Upcott into Bishops Hull village.
It’s then down over Netherclay and out into Silk Mills Road and back to the College via Heron Drive. Of course, that’s only the 13.1 mile Half Marathon distance; runners tackling the full 26.2mile Marathon get to run the lap a second time!
All-time course records were set in the early days of the event but it’s not all about winning. The race caters for all abilities and lots of people have achieved their personal bests over the two distances here.
The events are sponsored by Ashfords Solicitors, Nuffield Health and Humberts, supported by other local businesses.
Entries are open until the 25th March and you can download forms at the Taunton Marathon website.
Photo courtesy of Photo-fit.com