Haytor Heller

Four Sidmouth Running Club members took on the Haytor Heller on Saturday 21st of July. This event is in its 33rd year. It is a tough 6 mile hilly off-road event and is not for the faint hearted or inexperienced runner! This is a popular moorland race which starts below Haytor Rock and follows a rugged and hilly single lap route. It is generally runs through open moorland with two sections of woodland and includes the crossing of one stream. Returning back once again to Haytor Rock there is a fast descent to the finish line which is opposite the middle car park at Haytor.

By some fluke Jo got a second in her age group winning a trophy and a bottle of wine. She was pacing it out most of the race with an Erme Valley Harrier lady, who, as it turned out, was in the same age group. She’d pass Jo on the uphills, and Jo would pass her on the downs. Fortunately it ends on a down and Jo ended up with a 30 second lead.

In order of finishing: Jo Earlam 1:12:59, Don Cawthera 1:16:33. Debbie Marriott 1:16:40, Helen Palmer 1:20:03. 229 finished.

The group’s verdict of the event… a big thumbs up and a smiley face.

Exeter 10k

On a warm Wednesday evening, seven Mighty Greens took part in the Exeter 10km Run. Starting on The Quay and following some of the Park-run route along the river and canal footpaths and cycle tracks to the swing bridge and back. This was a two lap traffic free and pancake flat 10km run.

In order of finishing was Greg Ward who arrived in 47:08 giving him the 94th position, Rob Edwards 115th with a time of 48:44. Steve Saunders in 171st position is now looking to beat his time of 52:25 next year. Then came Jo Earlam 205th, 55:48, John Sharples 243rd 58:39. Then Cheryl Boulton, who wanted a sub 1hour 10km time, sprinted for the finish line and achieved her goal 59:43 coming in 253rd place and Christie Ward felt very pleased with her position of 282nd, with a time of 63:52. There were 338 finishers.

Jo was pleased to get inside of the 9 minute mile pace with it being a rather short / fast pace for her.

Blackdown Beauty

Last Saturday, 14/07/18, Els Laureys and David Chipping took part in the Blackdown Beauty, as part of David’s birthday celebration. It is an 18 mile social run which starts at Priors Park Farm at Culmhead and leads you through in the wonderful countryside of the Blackdown Hills, via 4 pubs, lots of stiles and via Pear Tree Cottage at Stapley for a superb cream tea provided by the “legendary” Smeatharpe WI.

At the start we were given a map and instructions on which way to follow and soon found out that it is possible to spot little white drawing pins as markers along the way. About half way during the run, we joined forces with Andy, Anne and Lesley from Plymouth Harriers, who proved to be perfect company for a long run. We truly enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the lovely cream teas and made it to the last pub just in time to watch the Belgian football team win their 3rd place in the World Cup. Back at the farm, we were treated to a lovely burger and an ever so tasty cup of tea. We absolutely loved the experience and will try to make it to the Blackdown Beast next winter

Sidmouth Hosts the Woodland Relays

A sunny summer evening welcomed runners from local clubs for the annual invitation event, the Woodland Relays, which was hosted this year by Sidmouth Running Club on Salcombe Hill on 20th June. Having initially expected 30 teams the Club was delighted with the turnout of 63 teams of three people from local running clubs such as Axe Valley, Honiton, and Exmouth, as well as teams from the Met Office, Dukes, Cranbrook Scouts and many others. All ages and abilities were catered for with Under 11 teams such as ‘The Young Coyotes’ and ‘Cos Girls Can Run’ competing over the short course whilst the aptly named ‘210 Years and Counting’ team from Sidmouth Running Club took on the long course.

Sidmouth Running Club Chairman, Terry Bewes, thanked the many club members involved in organising and supporting the event. ‘Many members ran for their club including some from this year’s beginners group and we were delighted with Toby Garrick who was the fastest senior male over the long course. But a huge ‘well done’ also needs to go to all the helpers, from those that set out the course, to the marshals, the timer and number recorder, water providers, photographer, First Aid support and most popular, the catering crew who rose to the occasion and provided an awesome array of cakes and bakes.’

Last Saturday Bert Dykema took part in the Zwolle half marathon.
“It was held on the city centre of the city of Zwolle in the east of The Netherlands. 4500 people took part and the city was closed of for traffic, bands were playing along the route and there were thousands of supporters along the route. The event was held in the evening ( 8:30 pm ). It had been a sweltering day and temperatures were still well above comfortable running weather! It was my first half marathon and I did struggle! But I did it, two hours 25 minutes!”

Ultra Hot for David on Dartmoor

Whilst many of the Sidmouth Running Club’s women were taking a deep breath after their stellar efforts in the Women Can marathon, one of the men decided it was time to test himself. David Chipping took on the Dartmoor Discovery 34 Mile Ultra run on 2nd June. This year was the 20th anniversary of the race which is organised by Teignbridge Trotters and is known amongst ultra runners as the UK’s longest single lap road ultra marathon.

The race starts and finishes in Princetown but takes in many spectacular Dartmoor sites (and hills) as it passes through Dartmeet, Poundsgate, Newbridge, Ashburton, Buckland, Widecombe, and Postbridge. David Chipping was one of 186 runners who managed to complete the race despite the very hot conditions, and was the only runner from Sidmouth to take the challenge. ‘I managed it in 6h12m’, said David, ‘it was a great run, but very hot and very hilly – 4000ft of climb’.

Meanwhile the Club’s record breaking fancy dress runner trialled a new outfit in a half marathon in Manchester. Naomi Garrick cast aside the famed wedding dress, and settled down in a nice little house outfit for a half marathon in Manchester. She was raising money for the Ronald McDonald House charity which supports families with children in hospital by providing accommodation. ‘The house costume fell down twice during the run’ said Naomi, ‘but I managed to cross the line in 2h09m and I raised around £600!’

Sidmouth Running Club is now making preparations for hosting the annual Woodlands Relay Races on 20th June. 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. Club runners will form teams of three and each will complete either a 1.2k or a 3.4k loop on the top of Salcombe Hill before handing over to the next team member. With lots of different categories of entry it’s a low key fun event where finisher’s cake is more sought after than prizes.
More info at www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk

The week before the Women’s I Can marathon I ran a half marathon in Manchester dressed as a house. The costume fell down two times but I managed to cross the line in 2.09. I have raised around £600 for the Ronald Mac Donald House Charity, who support families with accommodation who have children in hospital.
Hope you like the photo!
Nutty Nomes

Sidmouth Women are Fearless

Last Sunday saw Sidmouth Running Club’s women out in force for the Women Can marathon, a women-only marathon and relay event for runners and Nordic walkers. The event, starting and finishing at Tipton St John, was inspired by Kathrine Switzer and her Fearless 261 organisation. The number 261 was Kathrine’s bib number from the 1967 Boston Marathon where she was physically attacked by the race co-director, for officially registering and running in what was then considered a men-only race. Since then Fearless 261 have gone on to support female runners across the globe.

Wind the clock forward to 2017 and local runner Jo Earlam decided to organise a local Women only marathon which proved so popular it was repeated in 2018. Fearless runners from SRC turned out for the challenge, some doing the full marathon and others doing relays.

The scenic hilly off road course followed footpaths from Tipton to Budleigh Salterton, then along the South West Coast path to Sidmouth, the halfway point. Runners then went up the Byes to Sidford and the toughest climb of 777 feet up East Hill to Whitecross. The course then descended through woodland, into open fields, and a quiet country lane to Ottery St Mary, passing through the length of the town to again reach the River Otter, and the final flat, riverside path back to Tipton St John.

Cath Miller, from SRC was doing her first marathon supported by friend Claire Ashby. ‘One Friday morning about 5 weeks ago I ran with Jo, who inspired me to take part in Women Can. I vowed I would never run a marathon, but 5 weeks later on the 27th May 2018, I completed Women Can with a smile on my face. What an amazing experience it was to run amongst inspirational women, with all the support of my family and friends’.

The thunder, lightning and rain of the previous evening disappeared leaving a warm humid atmosphere for the first stage to Budleigh. Jane Hemsworth and Helen Palmer, both seasoned marathon runners were impressed by the organisation, support and company along the way.

Jane said ‘The run was well supported with over 100 volunteers and marshalls, offering sweet treats as well as water. The route was well laid out with signs and pink ribbons. SRC men were joined by friends and partners of the runners to do the marking, marshalling and pre-checking the route and we had a really enjoyable day out with lots of like-minded ladies’.

Helen Palmer enjoyed the company too. ‘I settled in with four other runners and whilst not running with them all the time we kept bumping into each other with words of encouragement. Two were 261 Fearless runners from London and there were also runners from Switzerland and New Zealand as part of the 261 community’.

Results for SRC runners in the full marathon:
Jessica Raynor 3:51:56, Charlotte Forrer 4:44:07, Kaylee Hawkins 5:04:30, Lynda Hawkins 5:04:30, Cath Miller 5:27:11, Claire Ashby 5:27:11, Helen Palmer 6:00:29, Naomi Garrick 6:19:57