JP’s Exe to Axe 2020 (held 2021)

JP’s Exe to Axe Takes No Prisoners

‘Brutal’, ‘tough’, ‘harder than an ultra-marathon’ were some of the more printable descriptions of JP’s Exe to Axe race which Sidmouth Running Club organised and ran on Sunday.

The 22 mile race which starts on Exmouth seafront and follows the coast path to Axmouth has been previously voted the 9th best race in Runner’s World magazine and attracted 168 entrants from Falmouth to Aberdeen and everywhere in-between plus the Canary Islands.

Organisers Paul Mitchell, David Lee and Rob Edwards ensured covid safe regulations were implemented and this included a rolling start time with chip timing which proved very successful and much less stressful at the finish line.

Four of the nine relay teams were made up of SRC runners. Father and son team ‘The Clay Twins’ aka Tim and Dan Clay had a great run coming in second place, 4:07:17.

Bee Gees Medley

‘The Bee Gees Medley, comprised of Derek Blackburn running Exmouth to Sidmouth and Clive Gilbert running Sidmouth to Seaton. Clive was slightly worried when he saw Derek approaching looking slightly worse for wear and knowing the leg he was about to run was a lot hillier. On reaching the finish line in 4:40:31 (5th place) Clive received good news that his lost mobile phone had been found and he didn’t need to retrace his steps!

Rocker and Dazzer

Relay team ‘Dazzer and Rocker’ thoroughly enjoyed the run, with Dazzer running the first leg and Rocker the second. They finished in 4:41:19-7th place.

Easier said than run

The four female relay team ‘Easier Said Than Run’ had to adapt to 3 runners when a disappointed Ann Cole had to pull out due to illness. Julia Haddrell ran Exmouth to Budleigh, handing over to Lesley Dunford who ran to Sidmouth, Jane Stein increased her mileage on the toughest leg, and Lesley Dunford ran the final Beer to Seaton part. They were very pleased with their achievement of finishing in 4:57:23 especially as their average age is 64.75 years!

Sarah Ginsberg was pleased to reach Sidmouth from Exmouth as she was still recovering from illness and David Welsh ran half the route, Sidmouth to Seaton in 3:15:20.

Hannah

Ready to experience her first Exe to Axe, Mighty Green Hannah Maslen was the first runner over the start line. Hannah found the steps past Sidmouth challenging as they led to cramp but all was forgotten as her children joined her to run over the finish line in 5:44:10.

Hannah, Gripper and Ollie

First SRC runner over the finish line was Ollie Goodchild-Horne who took the challenge in his stride finishing in 61st position out of a field of 168 in 4:22:02. His dad Adrian ‘Gripper’ Horne took slightly longer to complete the route due to injury and limited training in 5:40:04 but had his grandson cheering him on along the way and over the finish line.

Jamie, Naomi and Simon

Jamie Locke found his first Exe to Axe tough, tiring and very hot at times especially between Sidmouth and Branscombe but this didn’t stop him from enjoying it. The MG crossed the finish line in 4:40:32 in 87th place and is already thinking of entering it again! Michael Garrish completed the race in 5:04:18 and Simon Hollyer, Sam Ingram and Bex McDonald finished in 120th, 121st and 122nd respectively in very similar times-5:16:08-5:16:48. Simon had nothing left in the tank having given it his all and needed a recovery banana on crossing the finish line-it must have done the job as he is also talking about signing up for next year! First timers Sam and Bex had a cunning plan; they had learnt that by climbing up the ‘stairway to heaven’ they had 14m less of climb and at that point it mattered! Naomi Garrick felt proud as she ran along the beautiful coastal path and felt honoured to live where she does. The MG finished in 139th place in 5:29:56.

SRC members who weren’t running did their club proud by marshalling the event under Chief Marshal Terry Bewes’ supervision. Many of the runners thanked them for their support and enthusiasm which spurred them on. Special mention must go to Jessica and Jasmine Thomson, the youngest marshals but biggest cheerleaders who raised many a smile on Cliff Road and to Danny Painter, who despite recovering from long covid insisted on being the back runner, encouraging all along the way.

 

 

Juniors

Can YOU Help Successful Sidmouth Running Club Juniors Grow?

The SRC Juniors have been running since 2018 and is going from strength to strength.  They have a strong group of run leaders, led by England Athletics qualified juniors coach Kerry Boyle.  Children from across the local area are coming to the club and as they welcome more children in they are also looking for more willing volunteers. 

8 – 11+ Juniors

Wednesday evening saw the end of term session for the 8+, 11+ and 12+ Junior groups. The 11+ group in particular enjoyed their run with a view and chocolate! Run leader Adrian Horne who helps with the group said, “Well done to assistant coach Claire Ashby who plans the sessions. Her group are really coming on and managed nearly 3 miles on Wednesday!”

!2+ Juniors

Run leader Charlotte Forrer said, “All the age groups have had a brilliant term learning the fundamentals of athletics. From 8 years England Athletics recommends that children develop all their skills in running, jumping and throwing which is why we keep our sessions varied and multi-skilled.  This helps the Sidmouth Juniors to stay healthy as they are growing and developing. We are indebted to our team of assistants, Leeann Thomson, Sharon Hunt, Catherine Hilton, Tim Daffron and Adrian.” 

The feedback from the children has been very positive and encouraging. In the 8+ group, Iz said “I love running club as I get to make new friends and keep fit” and Zac said” I love spending time with my friends and love how kind Charlie is”. While Louis in the 11+ group said,” The best about running is the views” and Izzie T said, ”Running club has been amazing; it’s been great fun doing it”. 

The running club is hosting a training event on the 12th September for run leaders and parents that would like to be more involved.  The leaders will go through the main skills that they teach, play a few of the games and have a bit of a celebration of everything they have achieved so far. The running club is also happy to support its members to get extra qualifications through England Athletics so that they can feel even more prepared.

Reservations are now being taken for their September term. This summer they were full so make sure you get onto the waiting list by emailing sidmouthrunningclub@gmail.com

Haytor

Hot! Hot! Hot! Haytor Heller

On Saturday 17th July Antony Hall was questioning why he had signed up to run the Haytor Heller on possibly the hottest day of the month so far! Organised by Teignbridge Trotters to celebrate their 35th anniversary the hilly, rugged terrain certainly put the Mighty Green to the test. The 5.30pm start didn’t bring cooler temperatures but Antony completed the 10k course in 00:54:12, 30 seconds behind the first woman home in an impressive 25th place out of a field of 240 entrants.

Antony at Haytor

Antony said, “It was by far the hottest run I have had since the London Marathon in 2018!”

Kirsteen wins again

Hosepipes Cool Kirsteen As She Blazes Ahead!

Kirsteen Welsh has done it again setting a new woman’s course record at the Frome Half Marathon on Sunday!

Despite the temperature hitting 29oc and the hilly first half, Kirsteen was the first lady over the finish line, 6th overall and completed the course in 1:21:13, smashing the existing woman’s course record.

Kirsteen at Frome

The Mighty Green said, ”The residents of Frome were legends, they came out to cheer the runners on and cooled them down by spraying us with hose pipes!”

Land’s End to John o’Groats

Mighty Green Derek Clocks Up 1407k

Two weeks ahead of the target he set himself, Derek Blackburn completed the Virtual 2021 Lands End to John O’Groats challenge with an 11.32km run along the North Devon coast path.

Derek

The Mighty Green started on January 1st and has been logging all his runs and walks to notch up the 1407k required to complete this amazing achievement.

Posted in SRC

Dartmoor Marathon

Dartmoor Marathon

Adrian looking pleased at the end of the Dartmoor Marathon on 31st August. It’s a 26.5 mile off-road race over wild Dartmoor and includes the tops of Yes Tor and High Willhays.

The Barbarian Off Road Triathlon.

Ross Walton at the Barbarian Off Road Triathlon. – report to follow

 

 

Park Run Seaton

Jo and Alexa took part in the Seaton Parkrun this weekend. Jo managed to secure a new PB. It was the first Park Run for Alexa, who will soon be a new Run Leader with the club.