Calling All 11 To 16 Year Olds – Charity Run in Exeter!

The Tozers Great West Mini Marathon will take place on Wednesday 7^th May from Exeter Arena starting at 1:30pm.

The 3km run, organised by Iron Bridge Runner Events and this year sponsored for the first time by leading south west law firm Tozers LLP, is for 11 to 16 year olds across the county and up to 300 children are expected to enter.  Reese Jenkins, head of sport at Tiverton High School has entered 50 children from the School which shows excellent support for this growing event.

The event not only promotes sport to local Schools but encourages children to take part in a personal achievement, enter on behalf of their School and to help raise funds for a local charity.  The event is open to all children between the ages of 11 and 16 - some are budding athletes, others don fancy dress and some walk - but they all want to take part and do their bit - which is extremely important.

DIRECT, the Diabetes Research Project, part of the Peninsula Medical School Foundation, is the local charity chosen by Tozers to be the recipient of funds raised.  The aim is to raise £2000 from sponsorship by the children towards genetic testing of diabetes in Exeter.  Peter Edwards, managing partner of Tozers says "Diabetes is affecting youngsters at an earlier age, and this is in major part due to the sedentary nature of the modern Western lifestyle. If we can encourage young people to take regular exercise and think about what they eat and drink, then we can reduce the number of incidents of diabetes in the young. This is why we are delighted to be supporting the Tozers DIRECT Mini Marathon."

The race is a great opportunity for local children to be involved in their community events, as Pete Ferlie, race organiser says ‘The Tozers Great West Mini Marathon gives this age group their very own race which is unusual in the South West.  The winners will receive some excellent prizes from Urban Surfer and all finishers will get the same medal as they do in the main Great West Run.  We are very pleased to have Tozers as the sponsor and we thank them for their support.'

Urban Surfer will very kindly be supporting this race for the third year running.  This well known surf and snowboard store in Exeter will not only be supplying all the prizes for the race categories but have also offered a 10% discount to be used in store or online to all entrants in their finishing goody bag!  Ben Browning, co-owner of Urban Surfer thinks it is great to get involved in local sporting events and to promote exercise to youngsters.  He says 'we are chuffed to be part of this again for Summer 2008 and feel that it is essential that we support individuals who want to push their limits and better themselves whether this is in the sea, on the mountain or within their local community.  From us all here at Urban Surfer, we would wish you good luck and hope you enjoy the day and remember that it is not all about the winning but also the taking part.'