Taunton Half Marathon

📣 SPONSORSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

We are delighted to announce that Ballantine Wealth Management will be returning as a primary sponsor of Taunton Half Marathon in 2027

Ballantine Wealth Management provide a highly personalised and comprehensive financial planning service. They aim to build long-term client relationships with individuals, families and business owners in and around Somerset.

The firm support their clients with a range of needs including:-

Retirement and Pensions
Investments
Inheritance Tax
Protection
Small and Medium sized Businesses

Their purpose is to help enable you to meet your financial goals in life.

Ballantine will have some runners on the start line in February, as will most of our sponsors - we love the fact that they’re getting involved in this way too. A colossal thank you to Ballantine Wealth Management for their ongoing support 🙌

Something a bit different today:-

In April 2027 Dave Urwin of Active South West has been lucky enough to get a charity place for London Marathon through Somerset Counselling Centre. The funds he raises will go directly towards helping people who might otherwise struggle to afford counselling but need support to do so.

Dave says:- “I’m truly honoured to support Somerset Counselling Centre - as a man under 50 (for a little while yet!) I am aiming to highlight the fact that su***de is the biggest killer of men under 50. I came very close myself when in my mid 30s and lost a good friend to su***de when I was 20. Statistically it’s likely someone reading this post might be in a difficult place right now. I urge anyone who is struggling to speak to someone you trust, or even to Chat GPT in the first instance if you’re trying to work out who best to talk to. There are lots of organisations like The Samaritans and Mindline who have volunteers willing to listen if it’s too hard to talk to someone you know - just try and get it out of your own head as a starting point.

You don’t have to be suicidal to benefit from counselling - it can help you to work through
unhealthy patterns in your life, past trauma or even to try and pinpoint why you’ve faced challenges when you don’t really know why. I’m not gonna lie - I’m going to have the time of my life running London, but to know that something meaningful is happening alongside it makes it so much more worthwhile.”

There are so many great causes out there but if this one’s relevant to you and you can afford a small donation here’s the page…

https://2027tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/david-urwin

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Some ace Half-Marathon racing going on today!

Eilish McColgan was 1st female in London Big Half, showing her true class

More locally we had Bridgwater Half Marathon, where it seems from Strava posts seen so far that a lot of runners had a fabulous morning! Did you run either of these races or any others?

HEY 👋

So now more days have passed since 2026’s Taunton Half Marathon than days remain until 2027’s race (Just!!)

With that in mind we thought we’d better get the latest edition of the newsletter out, which should now be in your inbox

If it’s not then please check your junk folder

If it’s still nowhere to be seen then drop us an email 😁

No spoilers!! Read! Enjoy!!

Ok, this isn’t aimed at anyone and is meant to be a bit of fun 🤩

There are pros and cons to both approaches when it comes to how you enjoy your running and there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to

The technology on offer in the modern day means there are far more possibilities for people to get inspired, to connect with people who share their hobby and to document their experiences, but going too far into the technological realm can take away from the pure joy of running 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

As with all things it’s about finding a balance, but above all just don’t worry what anyone else thinks - you enjoy your running in the way that works best for you 😁

☔️ ☀️ Changeable weather this weekend…

Anyone got any awesome running endeavours to report?

Have you been racing?

Have you done a cool training run?

We’d love to hear about it 😁🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️….

📣 SIX MONTHS TO GO ANNOUNCEMENT

Keep your eyes peeled all entrants in the coming days for an email detailing a few bits and pieces about 2027’s event, which will include the following:-

2027’s race, following discussions around increased traffic management and other logistical matters, will have an increased capacity of 2500! ⭐

We have been thinking of how we can offer the chance for more runners to take part whilst not compromising on the quality of the event and we’ve got to the point where this can be achieved 😁

It’s not a massive increase but enough so hopefully less who want to run the race will miss out

www.activesouthwest.co.uk to secure your place for 2027 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

📣 SPONSORSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

We are extremely pleased to announce that Lloyd & Whyte Group will be continuing their sponsorship of Taunton Half Marathon in 2027

Gemma Mather from the company informs us:- “Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking are proud to sponsor the Taunton Half Marathon and support an event that brings so many people together from across the local community.

We’re proud to work with local businesses, offering friendly and personal commercial insurance support from a team who are here when you need us. We take the time to understand your business and provide straightforward advice from real people you can speak to.

We’re also proudly part of Benefact Group, a family of specialist financial services businesses with a purpose beyond profit. Through the Benefact Group, we’re part of something bigger, helping to support charities, good causes and communities across the UK.

Supporting the communities we work in is really important to us, which is why we’re delighted to be sponsors of the Taunton Half Marathon again!”

Look out for their logo at mile marker 1 on race day 😁🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

WOW!!!! 😳🏃‍♂️🏆

Earlier this year Yomif Kejelcha became the second man to run a sub 2 hour marathon during an official race setting, just seconds after Sebastian Sawe had become the first

This weekend he set an incredible new Half Marathon world record

FIFTY-SIX MINUTES AND FIFTY-ONE SECONDS!!!!!

4:20 per mile / 2:42 per kilometre!!!!

What do we reckon? Is he human??

HAPPY RUNNING to anyone who is running/racing today 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

HOWEVER, if you’re swimming, cycling, walking, hang gliding or any other form of exercise… or even if you’re not… have a great day too 😁

Let us know in the comments if you’re doing anything particularly cool today 😎