City Runs has all the bases covered for runners in the Exeter City and South Devon area, including new training sessions open to all standards at Exeter Arena Athletics Stadium, Exhibition Field, Summer Lane, Exeter – coached by Hannah Bown of Exmouth Harriers.

Hannah has represented England Masters at marathon and half marathon; she won the 2022 Rhodes Marathon and was third in the Crete Marathon in 2023. Her experience, coaching expertise, and passion for running are shared on Mondays and Thursdays with hourly sessions devoted to Walk to Run; Run HIIT, and Inspirational Intervals groups.

One-off sessions cost £7:50, or five sessions for £30 in advance, and include access to the changing rooms and showers. All sessions can be booked in advance via City Runs here.

With the training taken care of it's on to the next step – taking part in a race. The City Runs programme for 2024 kicked off last night (Wednesday 24 January) with the brand new Exmouth 5K – a pancake flat, fast midweek test under the lights on Exmouth Seafront won by Charlie Wright (City of York AC, 15:52) and Alice Murray-Gourlay (Taunton AC, 17:41). This is race two in a three-race winter series and the final event – over the traditional five-mile course – is on Wednesday 13 March.

Also in an extensive fixture list of more than 20 events is the Fast Friday 10K at Exeter Riverside on Good Friday 29 March; Power Runs at Powderham on 6 April and 12 October; Run Exe 5K Series (six races) starting on 16 April; Run Exe Relays on 24 May and Haldon Relays on 26 July.

Track enthusiasts or first timers are catered for by the Exeter 3000m and Mile races at Exeter Arena on 27 September and runners of many summers are welcome in the Masters 5000 on Weston Super Mare Promenade on 23 November – a flat 5K road race suitable for all abilities and all ages over 35 years.

The City Runs' mission is: "We strive to inspire people regardless of age and ability through quality running experiences", and their inspirational strapline is: "PB's are there to be shot at, not admired".

For full details of all City Runs events visit the official website here.

For results of the Exmouth 5K visit runABC South race listing here.

Photo of a previous Fast Friday 10K courtesy City Runs