The Perkins Great Eastern Run

Every year, thousands of people hit the roads around Peterborough, UK, for the Perkins Great Eastern Run. This year, the event starts at 10:00 am on Sunday, October 14. By the time the three separate events are over, the runners will have raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities, will have got themselves fitter and healthier, and achieved some memorable personal goals.

We're proud to be involved.

Perkins teamed up with Peterborough City Council back in 2006 to bring the Great Eastern Run back to Peterborough after several years in the wilderness when it had almost been forgotten. Since then, support for the half marathon, the wheelchair race and the 5km fun run has grown and grown. Last year, more than 5,000 people took part in the three events and this year we’re expecting even more.

The big day, 2018 – this year is expected to be even bigger.

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The big day, 2017 – this year is expected to be even bigger.

Fun and excitement

For some, it’s a serious drive to achieve personal targets on a flat, fast course that enables many runners to beat their best times.

For some, it’s a chance to take up a challenge, lose some pounds and get themselves fit. For some, it’s a chance to raise money for a favoured local or national charity. But for everyone, it’s a day of fun and excitement, with elite runners, street parties and entertainers- a festival atmosphere all over the town.

Doing the best you can…

The race organisers are doing everything possible to see that those who want to take part can achieve the very best they can on the race day.

On the website, http://www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk you’ll find tips and advice, and detailed training schedules suggested for beginners, improvers and advanced distance runners.

There are fortnightly free training sessions at Peterborough Embankment Athletics Track on Bishops Road, where some of the best coaches in the region will be available to discuss your goals and help you reach them. They’ll also offer advice on running shoes, injury prevention and nutrition.

And on the day itself, experienced athletes from local clubs will act as pacers to help you round.

With a fast, flat course, a graduated training programme, the best help and advice, an encouraging crowd and a bit of extra help on the day, you can achieve a better time than you ever thought possible.

…or just having fun

The 5km Anna’s Hope fun run brings out young and old, families, groups of friends and individual runners who just want to join in the fun and raise some money for charity at the same time. There’s an enthusiastic and supportive crowd lining the route who turn out every year to cheer on the runners.

Raising money

We’re proud to be involved in the whole event, along with Peterborough City Council and the other sponsors. The Perkins Great Eastern Run is a key part of our commitment to helping local and national charities, and each year it raises tens of thousands of pounds for good causes.

Anna’s Hope, a local organisation dedicated to helping children with brain tumours, is the main beneficiary of the 5 km fun run and in support of the Peterborough Celebrates campaign to mark 900 years, Anna’s Hope has set a challenge to provide 900 weeks of specialist neuro-rehabilitation. There is also a whole range of other charities that benefit from sponsorship and contributions on the day.

Come along and join in the fun - and best of all, get your running shoes out and get ready to join in the racing.

Fast facts

Run each year since 2006
5,000 runners last year
Half marathon, wheelchair race and 5km fun run
Great atmosphere, entertainers and elite runners to watch
Tens of thousands of pounds raised for charities

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