Exeter Marathon and Community Five Mile Race Instructions

Welcome to the Exeter Live Better Marathon and 5 Mile Event, 2026

On behalf of the Exeter City Community Trust, Exeter Live Better, and our headline event sponsor, Tozers Solicitors LLP, thank you for your entry for the 2026 Exeter Live Better Marathon.

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.

Can you also please make sure you help us to leave the Exeter Riverside Park neat and tidy and make sure any race litter you produce is put in the waste bins that we will be providing.

If you find that you are unable to run, or have any other race day questions, please contact us via Running@ecct.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you on 3rd May 2026.

Exeter City Community Trust, Running and Events Team.

Where is Race HQ?

Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre, Haven Road, Exeter, EX2 8DP

Open from 7.30am

– Toilets, Changing, Bag store are also located here. There will be a race enquiries desk based here as well. Local cafes are close by for hot drinks, food, and refreshments.

https://www.haven-banks.co.uk/about-us/how-to-find-us/

Race Numbers
& Runner Registration

Registration is not required as the majority of race numbers have been posted out before race day.

If you signed up to run before 12th April race numbers have been posted (if your pack does not arrive, please head to Race HQ to collect a replacement)

Those who booked after this date will need to visit Race HQ at Haven Banks from 7.30am on race day to collect a number.

Please attach your Race Number to the front of your top.

Please do not pass your race number onto anyone else. Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to prepare for a prompt start.

Minimum Age

Marathon – 18 years or over

5 Mile – 15 years or over

On The Day Entries

We are unable to accept on the day entries.

Race Start Time

Marathon – Sunday 3rd May 2026. 8.45am.

5 Mile Event – Sunday 3rd May 2026. 9.00am.

The start area for the event is two minutes from the Race HQ.

There will be a runner’s safety briefing on the start line five minutes before each race start time. All runners are expected to attend.

Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to prepare for a prompt start

Start & Finish Areas

Piazza Terracina, Haven Road, Exeter.

Please note only runners and race officials are allowed in these areas.

Race Car Parks

Council Pay & Display Car Parks are close by we suggest either:

• Haven Banks Car Park, Michael Browning Way, Exeter, EX2 8DP
• Cathedral and Quay Car Park, Lower Coombe Street, Exeter, EX1 1DX.

See council website for further details 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 by marshals.

Showers/Changing

Limited showers at Race HQ – Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre.

Baggage Storage

There will be limited baggage store facility at Race HQ – All items are left at the owner’s own risk.

Please ensure you use your baggage tag which is at the bottom of your race number.

Toilets

There will be eight portable loos at the Piazza Terracina, one portable loo on at Bromhams Field car park, one portable loo at Exwick, public toilets on the left just after the Waterfront Restaurant & toilets at Race HQ.

Water Stations

Water stations will be set at suitable intervals across the course, with water being dispensed via paper cups. There will be isotonic drinks and sweets on the 2nd lap of the marathon race route at the Quayside Station 1.

Station 1: https://w3w.co/raves.glory.invite

Station 2: https://w3w.co/onion.cans.trio

Station 3: https://w3w.co/punk.spoke.dared

Station 4: https://w3w.co/asset.drain.they

Please retain any paper cups 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

Medals will be presented to all finishers on completion of the event. 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

Provisional results will be produced and displayed on the Webscorer website within 24 hours of the events completion. https://www.webscorer.com/ECCT

Should you have any queries about your provisional time, please contact us via running@ecct.co.uk

Please note that the start of the race is a mass start, so may contribute to some variance in your expected finishing time.

First Aid

First Aid stations will also be available on the courses and at the Race HQ. 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

Please ensure all litter and gel wrappers are disposed of considerately. Race marshals will be on hand to take rubbish from you if needed. NB: All our event waste will be recycled where possible.

Bad Weather

Please ensure you keep up to date with the local weather conditions ahead of the event and ensure you are prepared for all eventualities during the race.

Any event cancellations will be emailed in the first instance with regular updates on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Route Information

You will be running on shared cycle and footpaths along and through the Exeter River, Canal and 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 and rear bikes 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