City Runs are the driving force behind the Run Exe Summer 5K Series and other running events in Exeter and elsewhere in Devon at distances from the mile to a half marathon. The team at City Runs has a simple mission statement: "We strive to inspire people, regardless of age and ability, through quality running experiences."

City Runs also release a steady stream of pithy, inspirational quotes. We particularly like these: 
"If you have a body, you are an athlete".
"Everything you need is already inside".
"PBs are there to be shot at, not admired".

The West Country race specialists have released their confirmed fixtures for the summer and beyond. There is something there for everyone, with an emphasis on accessible distances and club participation.

The original Run Exe Summer 5K Series forms the 'spine' from which the remaining events grow from. All the races are run on a great traffic-free and pancake-flat course on footpaths and cycle tracks around Exwick Playing Fields and the River Exe Flood Relief in Exeter. This is a popular midweek series of six races (best four results to count) on Tuesday 18 April, 2 May, 6 June, 4 July, 1 August, and 5 September. Pacers are planned for 18, 20, 22, and 24 minutes.

Team events are in the form of relay races and there are three planned. The Run Exe 4 x 4K Relay is on Friday 26 May; Taunton Relays at Taunton Racecourse (4 x 3K) are on Friday 30 June and the brand new Three Hour Relay on Sunday 6 August will see teams of three running continuous laps of a multi-terrain, two-mile loop of Exeter Arena and Exhibition Fields for, you guessed it, three hours.

Track types are catered for at Exeter Arena Athletics Stadium on Wednesday 21 June when the Devon 10,000m Championships and West Country Mile take place. Also on the card is a Try The Track Mile open to novices. Unattached runners are welcome at the latter event as it is held outside normal UKA rules. The Mike Feighan Trophy will be awarded to the fastest male and female in the Devon 10,000m Championship race. More track races are held on Friday 30 September with the Exeter 3K and Track Mile, plus a Try The Track 3K race.

The 2023 calendar concludes with the Exeter 10K on 19 July; Masters 5K in Weston-Super-Mare on 7 October; Power Run Quarter and Half Marathon at Haldon on 14 October; Exmouth 5 Mile in November and the Christmas 5K Handicap at Exeter Riverside in December.

Click here for the full City Runs programme.

Visit runABC South race listing for Run Exe Summer 5K Series info and results from race 1.

Image courtesy City Runs