Race Instructions
Welcome to the Exeter Half Marathon and Riverside 5 Mile 2026
On behalf of the Exeter City Community Trust and our headline event sponsors, Tozers Solicitors LLP, thank you for your entry to the 2026 Exeter Half Marathon or Riverside 5 miles.
Your efforts to enter and run this race really do help to support our wider-work in the community, and so we hugely appreciate you taking on a challenge that in turn produces positive impacts in our city.
Please find below the all-important when, what and where questions that you might have, and please do take five minutes to read this all through ahead of the event.
We organise this event to bring our community together to either run, spectate or support as part of our Running Programme as well as give you an opportunity to raise money for your favourite charity, should you wish to do so.
If you indicated your preferred Charity at time of entry, they will be in contact with sponsorship details, please contact them directly if you need any further help or assistance with fundraising.
Please ensure that you and all your party follow all instructions given to you by Race Marshals –They are in place to secure your safety.
Please could you also make sure you help us to leave the Exeter Quay, Piazza Terracina, Riverside Valley Park and surrounding areas neat and tidy and make sure any race litter you produce is put in the waste bins that we will be providing or with marshals.
If you find that you are unable to run, or have any other race day questions, please contact us via Running@ecct.co.uk
Please help us to keep improving ALL aspects of the race experience – by taking a couple of minutes to rate and review the race after you have finished. Through the review platform Racecheck it’s quick and easy with no need to log in or create an account. Simply click the link below. All reviews submitted before 08/03/26 will enter a prize draw to win a free ticket to a future running event of your choice!
https://racecheck.com/races/exeter-half-marathon/review/
We look forward to seeing you on February 7th or 8th, 2026.
Exeter City Community Trust, Running and Events Team.
Where is Race HQ and Registration?
Registration is not required as the majority of race numbers have been posted out before race day.
If you have not been sent a number, or require a replacement, these can be picked up from
Please attach your Race Number to the front of your top, with four safety pins.
Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to prepare for a prompt start.
Race Day Briefing
A Race briefing will be provided at the start line 5 minutes prior to the race start. Please arrive promptly to allow time prior to the start. The brief will be kept to a minimum and will include any notifications on obstructions to the route or emergency health and safety details. Please consider the points below to act as part of the race day briefing:
Please be aware this event takes place on shared pathways which are also available for public access.
Please consider other users who maybe walking, running or cycling along the same areas.
Parts of the course run alongside the river and canal areas of Exeter, please ensure you consider your and fellow users’ safety by not running too close to the water’s edge.
Noise cancelling headphones are not allowed, we require you to be able to hear marshal instructions and to be aware of other footpath users in the area.
Marshals are there for your safety, please adhere to all requests.
Minimum Age
Half Marathon – 17 years old
Riverside 5 – 15 years old
On The Day Entries
We are unable to accept on the day entries.
Race Start Time
The start area for the event is two minutes from the Race HQ, as per the route map. The What3words location is: https://w3w.co/worm.venue.runs
There will be a runner’s safety briefing on the start line five minutes before the race start time.
Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to prepare for a prompt start
Turnaround Point
The Half Marathon is a two lap course. The turnaround point for the second lap is located here:
The Riverside 5 miles is one lap but does have a turnaround point here:
Finish Area
Finish: https://w3w.co/union.output.cape
Please note only runners and race officials are allowed in these areas.
Timing
The race is mass start, will be timed via webscorer and published via
Please ensure your Race Number is clearly visible to allow your time to be accurately recorded.
Event Car Parks
Please visit the council website for car park information www.exeter.gov.uk/parking
Headphones
We would prefer it that no headphones to be worn during the race, as you are on shared paths, it is important that you know what is going on around you, and you need to be able to hear what safety advice is being given to you
Showers/Changing
No showers available.
Baggage Storage
There will be limited baggage store facility at Race HQ – All items are left at the owner’s own risk.
Toilets
There will be eight portable toilets at the Piazza Terracina, eight WC at Race HQ and two on course portable loos on the Water Station on Bridge Road.
Water Stations
Water stations will be set near to Salmon Pool Lane, on Bridge Road, Near Bromhams Farm Carpark and the Finish Line with water being dispensed via bottles. There will be no isotonic drinks on the race route.
Water Station 1: https://w3w.co/drift.ocean.horn
Water Station 2: https://w3w.co/loans.case.shock
Water Station 3: https://w3w.co/ducks.stand.calms
Please retain any bottles picked up until you find a suitable place to dispose, either in provided bins shortly after the water station or public refuse containers along the route.
Finishers Medals and Trophies
Medals will be presented to all finishers on completion of the event. Trophies will be presented to the top 3 male and female finishers. We ask all runners to exit the finish area as quickly as possible and disperse from the area to meet family, friends and supporters at a pre agreed point away from the finish area.
Results
Results will be produced and displayed on the Webscorer website:
UKA Permit No.
EA #30560
First Aid
An ambulance will be present at the finish line, a roving emergency vehicle and first aid electric bikes will be on course for rapid response. A First Aid station will also be available on the course and at the Finish line. Please ensure you have advised us via your entry form of any medical conditions to be aware of.
Please notify a marshal or race event control which will be based at the finish if you withdraw from the race.
Litter
You will be running on shared cycle and footpaths along and through the Exeter Riverside Valley Park. There is a short part of the route on a quiet but open residential road for about 1/3 of a mile. Please be mindful that that the Riverside Valley Park is a shared space which other users will be on, you do not have right of way!
Lead bikes and rear runners will be on hand along with our friendly marshals to direct you and keep you safe.
Road running shoes are the best type of shoe to wear.
Marshals and the drink stations will stand down once they are passed by the back runner.
The finish area will then close 30 minutes after the final finisher crosses the line.
Find more detail about the Riverside Valley Park here: https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves/riverside-valley-park
Route Information
The Half Marathon is a 2 lap course. Please read further regarding a back up route.
The Riverside 5 miles is a 1 lap course.
Route Maps can be found below.
Please note if there is prolonged periods of rain prior to the event, an officially measured 3 lap out and back, alternative route may be used, which is also documented below.
You will be running on shared pedestrian footpaths and a small section of a quiet road (countess wear road).
Please be mindful that the route is a shared space which other users may be on, you do not have right of way.
Lead bikes and rear runners will be on hand along with our friendly marshals to direct you and keep you safe.
Road running shoes are the best type of shoe to wear.
Marshals will stand down once they are passed by the back runner.
The finish area will then close 30 minutes after the final finisher crosses the line.
Exeter Half Marathon Main Route
Exeter Half Marathon Poor Weather Back up Route
Riverside 5 Miles Course
With thanks from our sponsors and charity partners
