Competition Heats Up in Exterminator Race

Competition Heats up in College Exterminator

Hundreds of people will be heading to South Devon College on Sunday morning to take part in the Exterminator 10 kilometre race and fun run.

The race has attracted a good field of club runners from around the South West, so the course record of 36:06 set last year by James Bellward of South West Road Runners could be at risk, particularly if conditions remain bright and sunny as is forecast.

Competition for the team prizes is hotting up with some non-club teams hoping to make their presence felt. The village at the heart of the 10k route, Stoke Gabriel, have entered a team called Stoke Stormers. Could the locals take the team prize? The sporty staff at Kitson’s Solicitors (also the race sponsors) have also entered a team of nine runners. James Cross, Joint Managing Partner of Kitsons says,

“We’re really looking forward to this Sunday’s Exterminator Race – it’s the second year we’ve sponsored it and it looks like it’s going to be another great event. Our team of runners from Kitsons has been training hard, following the colleges helpful training advice and, as we absolutely loved last year’s route, we know we’ll enjoy that aspect again too!”

Most of those taking part however, will not have course records and winning on their mind. Running for the majority is not about beating others; it’s about achieving personal goals, or beating last year’s time. For others, it’s about raising money for charities such as Macmillan Cancer Care or the Friends of South Devon College. Pupils from Paignton’s Sacred Heart Primary School are entering the fun run in force to raise funds for their school.

Some of those heading to the College on Sunday will not even have running on their mind. These are students of South Devon College, for whom the event was created as a real life learning experience. Dozens of sports students and public service students will be volunteering their time to help ensure the event runs smoothly. Race Director, Helen Honnor explains,

“Our students will be taking on a variety of roles including time keeping, marshalling, co-ordinating entries and results, the aerobic warm up and even taking responsibility for the race commentary. Students have been involved in the development of the project from the start and we have recently staged a couple of mini runs so that they have been able to practise start, the finishing funnels and time keeping techniques. It is particularly important that we get runner times spot on. The race is organised in association with South Devon Athletic Club and the club have given us lots of support and guidance.”

It is hoped that The Exterminator will give students are real taste of sporting event management and inspire some to go on to be race directors and race referees of the future.

The Exterminator takes place on Sunday 9^th May at South Devon College. Runners can enter on the day. The registration desk opens at 8.00am. A ¾ mile fun run will start at 10.15am and the main race, a 10 kilometre (6.2mile) run will start at 11.00am. All participants will receive a goodie bag. Fun runners will receive a medal and 10k runners will receive a souvenir T Shirt. Prize giving, presented by Kitsons Solicitors, will take place at 12.30. All enquiries to 07917 664105.