The Woodland Relays
It was hard to believe that two consecutive Wednesday evening running on Woodbury Common could be so extremely different weather wise. The first from Woodbury Castle was a Sidmouth club run on the hottest day of the year and the second on East Budleigh Common was the Woodland Relays in what can only be described as monsoon conditions.
The Woodland Relays are a series of races between East Devon clubs with each taking it in turn to organise a venue of their choice. This was the 23rd race extremely well organised by Exmouth Harriers in the Wheathill Plantation over a proper cross country course in horrendous conditions.
Between them the N1 Tri Club, Sidmouth, Axe Valley, Honiton, Exmouth, the Met Office and Clyst Hydon entered 21 senior teams and 10 junior. Teams of three are divided into all male, all female, mixed and juniors with each member running the same 4k circuit. With the rain lashing down the whole time, running fast became more difficult for those running the second and third legs as the course rapidly became a quagmire.
Sidmouth Running club had five teams entered, two experienced and three first timers all with the exception of Deb Marriott joining the club in January.
The Sidmouth Green Army comprising Justin Ashby 16:24, Antony Hall 17:30 and Ben Chesters 16:42 did an excellent job finishing
second overall just being pipped by the young bucks from N1 Tri.
The Sidmouth Ladies no. 1 team Kerry Boyle 20:29, Charlotte Forrer 21:18 and Els Laurays were the third ladies team to finish.
The ladies V45 team Karen Farnham 24:14, Deb Marriott 24:07 and Christine Farnham 24:51, the mixed team Christie Ward 30:06, Paul Wright 24:35 and John Sharples 24:47 and the ladies no. 2 team Jenni Yeoman 29:53, Laura Philips 27:20 and Julia Haddrell 32:42 all had their first experience of what life is like for a hippopotamus – wet and muddy.
However they all enjoyed the evening, supported each other, said it was one they would never forget and the Mighty Green was worn and the Club shown supporting another event. Well done to you all.