Category Archives: Race Report
Antony Hall and Jason Drew at the Haytor Heller.
Report to follow
The Umbourne Ug
Organised by Axe Valley Runners, the Umbourne Ug is described as a hilly, beautiful scenic route (approximately 950feet of elevation gain). Starting and finishing in the village of Umbourne it very soon heads into the hills. It was a very hot Saturday evening with dry conditions underfoot, so the 9 runners from the SRC who took part were grateful for the refreshment stops, most particularly the one with cider on tap. The event was well signed and the Marshals were all very helpful and gave the runners plenty of encouragement.
David King was the first Sidmouth runner to cross the line coming in 35th position over all in 59m39s, Christine Farnham took 51st place in 1h05m39s with sister Karen Farnham one place behind, 52nd in 1h05m41s. Not far behind was Sarah Clapham in 1h09m05s taking the 59th spot, Caroline Ball came 85th in 1h30m40s with Sarah Watkins and Kerry Agar who ran and crossed the line together in 1h31m50s taking 86th and 87th places respectively. For this years beginner Beccy Johnson, this was her first 10k race since 2011, so she did well to take 88th place in 1h32m02s. Beccy thanks Sarah, Paul and Kerry for sticking with her when they could have run faster. They showed the true Mighty Green Spirit and made sure I wasn’t left behind. Paul Williamson swept up for the MG’s in 89th place with a time of 1h32m04s.
Ham and Lyme ultras
First Parkrun at Killerton
Stephanie Smith wearing the Mighty Green for the first time and daughter Georgia at their first Parkrun at Killerton preparing for the Otter Rail and River race. It was so hot and dusty but the haribo and jelly babies really helped she said.
Colmer Hill 10k
Jenny Bently took part in the 3rd Colmers Hill 10k Challenge, a multi-terrain 10km Running event on Sunday the 7th of July.
This was mainly an off road race which was started and finished at the Symondsbury Estate Manor Yard in the heart of the picturesque village of Symondsbury, Dorset. The route took the competitors up and down many hills and along privately owned paths and tracks. It also is the only commercial event that is allowed access to the privately owned and iconic Colmers Hill. The event is for all abilities and it was really uplifting when other runners gave encouragement as they passed by.
The spectators and marshalls were fantastic all the way around the route giving maximum encouragement to the runners, also vital hydration and jelly babies. This year the race organisers were very proud that the race was plastic free all drinks stations were supplied with Ooho capsules. Ooho is a sustainable flexible packaging for liquids made from seaweed-extract. As such it is a 100% natural alternative to plastic bottles, cups and sachets. The Ooho material degrades in a natural environment in 6 weeks on average and is also edible. Jenny completed the Colmers Hill Challenge in 1h13m35s (chip time).
The Giants Head Marathon
On Saturday 22nd of June Danny Painter took on the very challenging hilly but scenic Giants Head Marathon in Dorset organised by White Star Running. The route took Danny through the beautiful Sydling and Cerne valleys, along foot paths and through fields, around and under the famous Cerne Giant. With over 3200ft of elevation gain and is a slightly longer than standard length marathon, but it gives stunning views worth stopping for. Danny came 44th with a time of 04h46m48s.
The Woodland Relays
Woodland Relays 2019.
Sidmouth Running Club entered twelve teams into the Woodlands Relay which took place in the woodlands near Lea Croft Caravan Park, Colyton, on the evening of Wednesday the 19th of June. Organisers, Axe Valley Runners had to make a last minute decision, to have a shorter than planned route. Due to some fallen trees the planned circuit could not be used. This shortened the distance for each runner and instead turned it into an out-and-back race. The first 600m was almost flat with the next 600m(ish) section, being a downhill blast with a slippery u-turn at the bottom. This was the half-way point which meant that it was a very long climb back up to the top, and then a sprint to the finish. To avoid collisions, the runners had to run on the left hand side at all times. This worked very well with no reported incidents. The weather had been wet all week on and off, the ground was fairly good for most of the route, but slippery on the hill.
There was a great atmosphere on the start line and a huge cheer as the first runners headed off. It wasn’t long before they were back for the hand over with more high spirited cheering and clapping every time no matter who’s team was setting off.
Run Boy Three were the first Sidmouth team to finish with Steve Saunders setting off first and averaging a 10 minute mile followed by Rob Edwards and a very determined Tim Mitchell giving Team RBT a time of 29m10s. Chafing The Dream saw Chris Day Kerry gain a down hill 400m(ish) section personal best time of 1m39s and was followed by Charlotte Forrer and a flat out Sam Ingram. Team CTD officially finished with a 29m10s timing. First to get away for mixed gender team Grand Master Flash, was Simon Holyer who managed a fast 8:15min/mile pace followed by Richard King and Ronnie Masters to gain Team GMB a 13th place in a time of 29m43s. Catherine Hilton got The Runners Beans off to a flying start, with Claire `Ashby giving it all she could, especially up the long hill and then Kerry Boyle blitzed the last leg. Team TRB had fun but found it tough. However, they were the first all female MG team to be completely finished and achieved it in 29m53s coming 14th. The young at heart Young Sexagenarians were down to two men for this event, with Paul Mitchell and John Hanson who took on two of the laps. Tim Clay had to duck out with an injury. Team YS came 18th in 30m51s. Originally named by Paula Farrand, the Dream Team will have ‘er’ added to Dream for next years Woodlands Relay. First away for Team DT was Rocker Sheppard, who set the bar with an average 11min/mile pace for the team. Hamish Spence took off to chase down Team TTT’s Karen Farnham and very nearly succeeded on the downhill section, but Karen is an up-hill running demon and so it was over to Adrian Horne to take the baton. A time of 32m19s and a 22rd place (1 ahead of Team TTT) was achieved. Terry’s Talkative Trio comprised of Christine & Karen Farnham and Sarah Clapham and they all claim not to have uttered a single word during the race! Is that really possible? Of course it isn’t and the clock stopped when all three took a breath at 33m09s giving them 23rd place. All you need to know about the Sidmouth Green Goddesses is that they were absolutely fabulous…any questions…good 🙂 Introducing Team Ladies And Tramp and clearing things up for arguments sake, Sarah Watkins (Lady and first runner), Paul Williamson (Tramp and second runner) and Kerry Agar (Lady and fast runner). Team LAT came 27th in 36m21s. Going to quickly to be correctly named the Slow Motion Ninjas were, in order of disappearance and re-appearance, Julia Haddrell, Jenny Bentley and Suzi Rockey. They managed a combined time of 37m23s and came in 29th place. Named after three great women of a certain age, The Supremes, were Sarah Powell, Emma Grainger and Ann Cole. They all showed supreme grit and determination throughout the event to get to the finish. They came in 31st position, but by the smile on their faces, they certainly enjoyed themselves! Their time taken… not important, but they thank all the other Sidmouth runners for their fabulous support both on and off the trail.
An event thoroughly enjoyed by all with very high levels of SRC members supporting each other on the track and at the start/finish line.
The Exmoor Maverick Marathon
Kirsteen Welch Takes On The Beast.
The Maverick Inov-8 Exmoor X-Series is labeled as The Beast and is the toughest event in the Maverick Events calendar. It was given this name due to the massive 1800m (6000ft) elevation gain over the whole route. There were three distances on offer, a 15k, 21k and the full 42k in-which Kirsteen took part. All three races started at the same time with Kirsteen opting for her usual speedy get away, with the intention of up keeping the pace with Lucy MacAlister. However, Kirsteen didn’t realise that Lucy was doing the 21k route, so at the split in the course, Kirsteen carried on alone, along the coastal path. When she reached the next aid station, the marshal told her that she was the second runner and first lady at this point. Kirsteen remained in this position for the rest of the race, although she did have the Maverick Trail Division Elite Athlete, Julia Davis hot on her heals towards the end. Kirsteen kept ahead of Julia and managed to do a sprint to the finish line beating Julia by just 11 seconds. SRC Mighty Green Kirsteen Welch came in on 04h14m52s, taking the 2nd place over all and retained the position of first lady.
Back during the Women Can Marathon in May, Kirsteen found herself ‘hitting the wall’ at around mile 20. So, for the first time she decided to trial the use of energy gels during this event. She got around with no ‘wall hitting’ and has found the gels useful. Recently she also had a consultation with sports dietitian Renee McGregor and is hoping this will help to fuel her training and racing more efficiently. There is a very fine line between training, nutrition and recovery and Kirsteen has learnt a lot over the course of this year, but wants to learn more so that she doesn’t end up injured or fatigued.
This was the last race for Kirsteen before her next event in the Snowdon Marathon which takes place in mid July.
Exmouth Park run
It was almost wall to wall personal bests for the SRC members doing the group Parkrun in a blustery Exmouth. Sarah Clapham did her 15th and grabbed a PB in 25m27s. A PB for Christine Farnham who sped her way around in 25m49s, whilst sister Karen Farnham was more leisurely in her approach with a 26m07s time. Juliet Powell also gained a PB in 29m52s along along with a PB for Christie Ward who raced around in 29m57s. John Sharples is the Man Of The Match and becomes a Centurion Park Runner having completed his 100th Parkrun in 29m58s. Julia Haddrell and her K9 did it in 30m44s and has now completed her 70th Parkrun. Lesley Miszewska finished in 33m41s and Sarah Powell in at 36m45s. First timer Donna Welsh ran with David Welsh in 37m22s who cheerfully swept up the MG group. Suzi Rocky took 27m.22 to complete Seaton’s pebble track.