International athlete Jo Pavey, a member of Exeter Harriers Athletics Club, made a number of appearances at St James’ Park after winning gold in the European Championships in 2014.

Born in Honiton, the then Jo Davis joined Exeter Harriers as a fourteen-year-old in 1987 and soon won a national 1500 metres schools title beating her contemporary Paula Ratcliffe (who was to win World and European championships). After a string of junior championships, Jo qualified as a physiotherapist and made her senior international debut in 1997 as she moved up to 5000 metres and eventually 10000 metres. 

Having won silver and bronze medals at World, European and Commonwealth level, Jo enjoyed her greatest success in 2014 when - at the age of forty - she won the European 10000 metres title. This led to her finishing third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and being honoured with both the Freedom of the City of Exeter and an honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter.  

A five-time Olympian and soon to be featured as part of the Exeter Pound initiative (along with City’s Adam Stansfield), Jo’s European achievement was acknowledged by her local football club when she was presented to the crowd at St James’ Park at the game against Hartlepool United in October 2014. She also spoke at an Exeter City Community Trust event in 2017.