Avoiding the strong coastal winds the Exe to Axe runners had to deal with, Sidmouth Running Club’s Judith Jeeves headed up to the capital to take part in the London Landmarks half marathon.

Judith at the London Eye

Wearing very apt leggings depicting the landmarks she was going to run past, Judith said it was a fabulous route, very well organised with lots of entertainment and support. The Mighty Green was running for Alzheimer’s Society, a charity close to her heart and was delighted not only to have raised over £450 but to finish in 2:08:56. Brilliant!

Climb South West organised sunshine for their 4^th Sid Valley Ring half marathon on Saturday and what a difference it made, even the ground had started to dry up.

Ready to start

New this year was the earlier start time for walkers and slower runners which club runners Carol Hounsell, Sarah Watkins, Clare Luke and Alexa Baker opted for. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves, taking in the stunning scenery and were pleased that the first runner from the main race didn’t pass then until the other side of Harcombe, 8.5 miles in.

Beautiful sunny views

Mighty Green Colin Ryan had an exceptional run, passing the early start ladies on the coast path after Dunscombe Manor and finishing 9^th overall in a field of 99.  Colin said he enjoyed running in the sun and was pleased not to slip up on the muddy sections. His time of 2:04:29 was a PB too-result!

Colin powering up the hill

Neville Hylton, who had cheer leaders by the Frogstone, finished in 2:41:31; Christine and Karen Farnham running in sync finished in 2:50:23 and Christie Ward finished in 3:18:58.  The early birds finished in 3:23:42-five minutes to spare before Carol’s carpark ticket ran out.

Christine and Karen

For anyone questioning why you would pay to enter a route you can freely run around at any time Climb South West provided a well stocked aid station at Sidbury, clearly marked out the route with many more signs than the SVR ones, first aid cover, friendly road marshals, a very impressive weighty medal, homemade cakes at the finish line, photographers and a video of the event-a full package.

The Early Birds

Sidmouth Running Club will be cheering Mighty Greens Richard King, Jane Hemsworth, Lynda Hawkins, David King, Richard Summerhayes, Kathy Jordan and Marion Johnson on next Sunday as they run the London Marathon.  This will be Kathy and Marion’s first London Marathon and both have been fundraising; Kathy for Mill Water School and has raised £600 so far and Marion has raised an incredible £4316 so far for Leukaemia Care.

Despite the yellow wind weather warning and the surprise of a tree surgeon working on part of the route, the second SRC Juniors/SidmouthFit fun run was a great success on Saturday morning with 48 children taking part.

The Fun Runners

SRC Junior leaders Grahame and Donna Womersley-Westlake and SidFit’s Tony Sarsby had to amend their plans including forgoing the popular water slide down the hill and staying away from the beach at Jacobs Ladder but this did not stop the fun.

Fun Run Organisers Donna, Tony, Grahame

Starting from Muttersmoor car park trainers were lost in the mud within the first 5 minutes and many slipped and skidded down the hill including parents!  Tony led 3 fun fitness activities along the route at Connaught Gardens

Connaught Gardens out of the wind

and both ends of the promenade and the run finished with a loop around the Ham playpark where everyone received a medal.

Team games

A big thank you to everyone who took part and to the Mighty Green marshals, many of whom were involved with JP’s 20^th anniversary Exe to Axe Race the following day.

Plenty of fun

The wind was still blowing strongly on Sunday but the decision made by first time race director, Adrian Harris, to move the registration venue to The Ocean in Exmouth was a blessing; especially for the Mighty Green volunteers handing out the race numbers.

Signing in

As the runners, including 8 from SRC, set off at 10am and headed into the wind towards Sandy Bay and Budleigh Salterton following the coast path, the Mighty Green marshals were struggling to set up the aid stations-gazebos were a definite no and setting up cups and food trays without them blowing away required extra thought and cunning strategies!

Well wrapped Branscombe Marshals

Opting to run the 10 mile Sid to Axe option, 9 SRC runners set off from Sidmouth seafront at 11am and it wasn’t long before the front runners from Exmouth were over taking them having run through Ladram Bay into Sidmouth and back up Salcombe Hill onto Weston mouth.

The runners were surprised to see the beach art created by marshal Mark Norton who made good use of the washed up cuttlefish to make arrows and spell out ‘wrong way’ on the pebbles!

Mark getting inventive with cuttlefish

The relentless steps up from Weston beach, the steep climb out of Branscombe and the very strong head wind on Beer Head did not deter Axe Valley Runner, Matthew Clist,

Matthew Clist

who was the first male to cross the wind battered finish line at Seaton yacht club in 2:59:53 and

Alice Kelly

Exmouth Harrier, Alice Kelly, who was the first female to finish in 3:24:40, 6^th overall.

Jake running through Branscombe

Jake Rowarth was the first male Mighty Green to finish the 22 mile Exe to Axe in 24^th place in 3:53:42 and Amanda Stokes the first female Mighty Green to finish in 56^th place in 4:21:48. PB’s for both as it was their first time running the event.

Amanda Stokes in Budleigh

MG Scott Chown was the first male to finish the Sid to Axe in 2:38:13, having run a new PB of 26:45 at Seaton parkrun the day before and a very happy Sarah Clapham was the first female MG to finish the Sid to Axe in 2:40:46.

Scott and Sarah-Sid to Axe completed!

The Exe to Axe was the brain child of John Perratt, a highly valued SRC member, who would have been very proud of his grandson Byron Fitzgerald, who ran this brutal challenging run with his girlfriend Kate for the first time.

JP’s grandson Byron, girlfriend Kate and family

Byron’s family supported them all along the route and cheered them over the finish line where RD Adrian, presented John’s widow, Brenda with a commemorative engraved wooden chopping board to mark the occasion.

Adrian and Brenda

The club is very grateful to Adrian, Tim Clay and Rob Edwards for all the work they have done to make the event a successful one and to all the Mighty Greens who helped on the day including back runners Jessica Rayner and Grahame Womersley-Westlake who ran from Sidmouth to the start of the race!  There were a lot of tired, weary runners at the end but they all spoke highly of the encouraging marshals and the great food selection at the aid stations provided by Kings Garden Centre which included Richard’s favourite falafels!

SRC Exe to Axe Results:  Jake Rowarth 3:53:42; Colin Ryan 4:19:38; Amanda Stokes 4:21:48; Lynda Hawkins 4:38:18; Roger Worthington 4:54:32; Mark Andow 4:59:30; Alice Gill 6:14:23; Naomi Garrick 6:32:48

SRC Sid to Axe Results: Scott Chown 2:38:13; Sarah Clapham 2:40:46; Sarah Ginsberg 2:42:16; Don Cawthera 3:01:54; Helen Palmer 3:02:54; Deb Cawthera 3:02:55; Jim Hudson 3:04:19; Liz Wright 3:31:16; Ann Cole 3:31:17

When Sidmouth Running Club’s auditor, Jeanina Puckey, wanted to donate £100 to an excellent local cause, the club readily agreed to match her very kind gesture.

Jointly they chose Sidmouth Lifeboat and at their training session last night SRC’s treasurer Tim Clay presented a cheque for £200 to senior tractor driver Paul May.

Treasurer Tim presenting the cheque

Sidmouth Lifeboat is a fully self-funded independent lifeboat charity in East Devon, covering an area of approximately 150 square miles of sea between Axmouth and Budleigh Salterton.  Their volunteer crew are on service 24 hours a day, 365 days per year and include club runner Cameron Baker and head coach Kyle Baker.

While many SRC runners were focused on the Grizzly, Derek Blackburn went all out to tick ‘J’ off his parkrun alphabet.  The Mighty Green travelled to Poznan in Poland to run the nearby Jezioro Swarzedzkie parkrun which was a lovely flat route along a river.

Derek with his J

Alice Gill also avoided the muddy hills by taking part in the Bath Half organised by TDL Events. The popular ‘Big City’ race starts and finishes in Bath city centre and is a flat course that hugs both sides of the river Avon.  The MG felt strong all the way round and was very pleased with her time of 2:25:09, 4598^th out of a field of 8441!

Alice pleased with her Bath Half result

Much closer to home Judith Jeeves and Jane Hemsworth took part in Running Event’s Pie and Pasty Challenge.  Starting in Exmouth you have 7 hours to run as many of the 5.3k laps along the disused railway line as you wish.  Judith completed a half marathon in 2:33:08 and Jane ran a full marathon in 5:21:10, great training for her upcoming London marathon.  Along with their very nice medal they received a well-deserved pasty or pie of their choice.

Judith happy with her pasty and medal

Junior leaders Donna and Grahame Womersley-Westlake had a day to remember on Saturday when they took part in Wild Running’s Race With No Name.  Not for the faint hearted this is a 50k East to West traverse of Dartmoor, starting at Trenchford Reservoir and finishing in Tavistock. Donna, who ran the Grizzly the previous week, and Grahame encountered some very extreme weather conditions, 40mph gusts most of the day and 3 hours of painful hailstones battering them.  Underfoot wasn’t much better, there was a diversion through the Marine firing range because the trails were too boggy which made their minds boggle considering what they had already run through. They also found themselves scrambling over bushes and rocks when pathways disappeared and had 1900m of elevation to contend with.  Despite this and Donna getting stuck in the mud at one point and ‘tobogganing’ down a hill on her bottom when she slipped, the adventurous Mighty Greens finished in 11 hours and 7 minutes.

Donna and Grahame braving the elements

There was no lie in for Donna and Grahame the next day either as their daughter Amelia represented the SRC Juniors taking part in South West Road Runner’s Feighan Fury fun run. The 8 year old Mighty Green completed the 5.5k muddy trail run with 167m elevation in 51 minutes, passing many adults on the hill sections, finishing with a sprint finish 19^th out of a field of 38.

Amelia smiling all the way

A week on from running the Grizzly Nikita Kay and Kyle Baker tested their legs at the Weston Super Half.  Starting and finishing at The Grand Pier with nominal elevation this is one of the UK’s most unique seafront halves.  Instead of the pebbles of Seaton and Branscombe the pair had sand to contend with, 1.5 miles of it, twice, as well as running along the promenade, closed roads and country lanes.  Head coach Kyle finished in 1:52:25, 410^th out of a field of 1481 and Nikita knocked 15 minutes of her previous half marathon time, finishing in 2:02:28.  They each received a medal and a t-shirt and were home before lunch!

Nikita and Kyle at the Weston Super Half

There is still time to get involved with our Junior Fun Run and JP’s Exe to Axe on 6/7^th April.  Please find more information at www.sidmouthrunningclub.co,uk

The Grizzly weekend started with the Grizfest on Saturday afternoon and Sidmouth Running Club Juniors were there to enjoy it.  John Dunsford and Christopher Witkowski took part and successfully completed the 4k Junior Grizzly.  John finished in 19:43 and Christopher in 21:36. Emily Smith, Marcus Wieffer and Amelia Womersley successfully ran the 2k Junior Cub finishing in 10:08, 10;17, and 13:57 respectively with Emily finishing 34^th in a field of 103.

SRC Juniors at the drizzly Grizzfest

They all got to experience running on the pebbles and despite the rain finished with smiles on their faces.  Thank you to Junior leaders Donna and Grahame Womersley-Westlake and all the parents for their support in this event which is open to up to 400 entrants!  SRC’s Exe to Axe fun run is fast approaching on Saturday 6^th April and is open to age 16 and under.  The event starts at 9.30am from Muttersmoor and finishes by The Ham and includes optional beach activities and water slide provided by Tony Sarsby of Sidmouth Fit. For more information contact juniors@sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk

Marcus in action

Sunday dawned a completely different day, which surprised many of the 41 Mighty Greens who listened to the heavy rain during the night. For Cub first timer Sarah Clapham her night was disturbed by dreaming she turned up to the start line without her leggings!

Not quite everyone, and not everyone looking!

There were many first timers in the SRC contingent and as they were lined up at the start line and heard the announcer say the course was treacherous they might have had a moment of doubt of what was to come but they knew they had trained well with the club’s Sunday runs in very adverse weather conditions; they were Mighty Greens-bring it on!

Raring to go

Brigid Mc Eleney-Smith had taken injured chairman Terry Bewes’s cub number and it seemed like she had taken on his persona too.  She was very encouraging going up the hills using Terry’s mantras fairy steps, head up, chest out; she was looping back and fell on her way into Branscombe.  Brigid said no sooner as she had hit the floor two very kind men scooped her up onto her feet as if she was as light as a feather!

Smiling faces of Cub runners Ann and Brigid

Mighty Green Colin L’Anson was the first of the 16 SRC cub runners to cross the finish line in 1:41:14, 57^th out of a field of 635 and Christine and Karen Farnham were the first MG ladies to finish in 2:02:40 with fully clothed Sarah Clapham not far behind.

Sarah Clapham enjoying life!

The support along the way from friends, family, Mighty Greens (especially injured Richard King at Branscombe), marshals, fellow runners and total strangers goes along way boosting morale as do the bagpipe players, the drummers, the sax players and musicians often in the middle of nowhere.  A special mention goes to the staff and residents of the nursing home on the way out of Seaton who line the street with their banners and instruments.  All make the event very special and memorable.

Tree of remembrance

It was Helen Palmer’s 15^th Grizzly and she found this one the muddiest by far, in fact the muddy sections of the course weren’t much muddier than most of the route although there were definite rivers of mud to plough through and the rope section was very challenging and comical! Helen ran mostly by herself and was amply entertained listening to other runners and seeing club members at various points along the way including as spectators.

Kerry and Helen cleaning off the mud

All this mud did not stop Richard Summerhayes from having a great run. He was the first Mighty Green to finish the Grizzly in an amazing 3:18:33 with SRC’s Jake Rowarth not far behind finishing in 3:39:03.

Lynda enjoying the mud

Running the Grizzly for the first time Louise Dalton said the distance was fine, the pace was fine, the sun was shining but the terrain was tough. Despite finding it hard on her feet, ankles and hips Louise was the first MG female over the finish line in 4:33:53 with her fellow SRC runners including first timers Amanada Stokes and Becky Knapman not far behind.  Becky loved it and although she found it incredibly challenging the Sunday runs were great preparation and she enjoyed running as a team too including Mark Norton and Yasmin Salter.

Team finish Louise, Mark, Becky, Yasmin, Amanda

Social secretary Naomi Garrick really enjoyed completing her 3^rd run for International Animal Rescue dressed as a dalmatian.  The spotty Mighty Green loves to run in fancy dress and make people smile.

Kathy, Alexa, Alison, Rachel and Kerry found a four legged friend

Mighty Green Lynda Hawkins was joined by her family including her son Jake who celebrated his birthday by running his first Grizzly-one to remember!

The Hawkins family

Running the Grizzly for the first time Cameron Baker, Megan Pewsey and Nikita Kay had the benefit of head coach Kyle Bakers’ experience as he had run it once before.  Cameron found it very hard going at times especially on his knee but they stuck together, dug deep and finished in a very respectable 5:24:51.

Very happy Kyle, Cam, Nikita and Megan

Beccy Johnson ran with another group of first time Grizzly-ers, Kathy Jordan, Kerry Salter and Alexa Baker and said that completing the full Grizzly was probably the most challenging run she has ever done. Luckily they are used to hills and mud and had put the training in with great support and advice from Sidmouth Running Club.

Pebbles aplenty

The beer stop before the descent into Beer certainly hit the spot for Kerry and Beccy who flew down the hill, the end in sight! Beccy felt a huge sense of achievement and said it was a real honour to finish with her MG friends, a sentiment shared by the others.

Cheers! Kerry and Beccy at the beer stop

Huge congratulations to all the Mighty Greens who took part in the very muddy Cub and Grizzly.

Fireman fun

Sidmouth Running Club would like to extend their appreciation and thanks to Axe Valley Runners who organise this enormous event and to the many friendly encouraging marshals who spend many hours out in the middle of nowhere.

Next up SRC’s very own Exe To Axe!

Cub Results: Colin L’Anson 1:41:14; Neville Hylton 2:02:14; Christine Farnham 2:02:40; Karen Farnham 2:02:42; Sarah Clapham 2:08:27; Kerry Boyle 2:08:56; Catherine Hylton 2:08:57; Scott Chown 2:10:24; Alison Williams 2:11:07; Steve Thomson 2:13:08; Brigid McEleney-Smith 2:19:16; Christie Ward 2:23:53; Amelia Frankpitt 2:32:56; Sarah Watkins 2:37:18; Carol Hounsell 2:37:19; Ann Cole 2:43:19

Grizzly Results: Richard Summerhayes 3:18:33; Jake Rowarth 3:39:03; Louise Dalton 4:33:53; Becky Knapman 4:34:56; Yasmin Salter 4:34:56; Amanda Stokes 4:34:56; Mark Andow 4:34:56; Lynda Hawkins 4:41:43; Sam Ingram 4:48:06; Rachel Barnard 4:51:26; Emily Morrison 5:23:17; Nikita Kay 5:24:51; Megan Pewsey 5:24:51; Kyle Baker 5:24:51; Cameron Baker 5:24:51; Naomi Garrick 5:35:45; Helen Palmer 5:53:03; Beccy Johnson 6:00:33; Kathy Jordan 6:00:34; Alexa Baker 6:00:35; Kerry Salter 6:00:35; Clare Luke 6:01:00; David Wright 6:10:40; Donna Womersley-Westlake 6:37:35 Graham Sheppard DNF

Sunday 25^th February is a date 20 Sidmouth Running Club members won’t forget in a hurry especially chairman Terry Bewes.

Following the success of the previous coach trip to Exeter where the Sunday runners ran along the river to Exmouth then onto Budleigh Salterton and Newton Poppleford under a watery sun, another coach trip was planned this time to follow the East Devon Way from either Exmouth or Four Firs on Woodbury Common back to Sidbury.  Unfortunately, the weather conditions were more reminiscent of the Dartmoor coach trip back in September where you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face and it rained persistently.

Helen, Amanda, Richard, Louise, Beccy, Colin and Richard

As the hardy 18 mile group posed for their starting photo by the estuary in Exmouth the wind was an indicator of what was to come and by the time the 12.5 mile group were dropped off the rain had started too.

If only they knew!

Becky Knapman who ran in the 18 mile group said they were indebted to Richard King who had left a box of sandwiches, falafels, energy bars and sports drinks hidden halfway along the route which gave them a much needed energy boost and lifted their spirits as they carried on running into the wind with the torrential rain battering them from every angle.

A soggy picnic stop for the 18 milers

With the route downloaded onto his watch, head coach Kyle Baker decided to run at his own pace and get back home as quickly as possible and soon left the 12.5 milers behind in the capable hands of Charlie Fawell and Terry Bewes who had also downloaded the route.  Unfortunately, this didn’t mean the group went in the right direction to start with but by mile 3 they were back on the right track navigating their way through deep puddles of water, stoney terrain and lots of mud.

Having fun regardless!

It was not a pleasant, easy run for either group but despite being cold and very wet they did not give up, they encouraged each other, helped each other dig out extra layers from their bags when their fingers wouldn’t work (using their teeth!) and stuck together in true Mighty Green Spirit.  This was very evident when Terry took a spectacular tumble in Harpford Woods.  The group stayed with him while the damage was assessed, and a phone call made to off duty community nurse Nikita Kay for a lift home. Even though he was protesting he only had a few more miles to go he realised he had damaged his elbow and sensibly called it a day allowing daughter Alexa to accompany him out of the woods.  Knowing Terry was going to be in safe hands the group continued up through the donkey field, across Fire Beacon and towards East Hill strips.  It was here that Alexa managed to catch up with the group and they ran down into Sidbury together, relieved that they would soon be heading home to warm up.

The very soggy 12.5 mile survivors

Sharing their experiences on their ‘Sunday Runs Are Fun’ What’s App group later that day it seemed everyone struggled to get out of their wet layers, Terry even more so with his painful arm, and it took a while to warm up despite plenty of hot drinks, warm baths and helpings of jam sponge and custard!  These Mighty Greens certainly tested themselves on this training run, they dug deep and pushed through, great preparation for the upcoming Grizzly and Exe to Axe races.  Unfortunately, no Grizzly for Terry, he did break his elbow and is now in plaster for the next 6-8 weeks!

Naomi, on behalf of SRC, presenting Terry with a ‘thinking of you’ bouquet.

What a difference a week makes-in glorious sunshine five Mighty Greens took part in LME’s Bradleys Spring 10k along Exmouth seafront.

SRC Bradley 10k Runners

Colin Ryan, fully recovered from last week’s 18 mile adventure, was the first Sidmouth Running Club member over the line, finishing with a new PB in 44:14, 19^th out of a field of 154.

Colin Ryan enjoying running in the sun for a change

Nikita Kay had a fantastic run too, knocking a whopping 3 minutes off her PB, finishing in 55:04.

Nikita flying along

With her London marathon training in full swing, Marion Johnson finished first in her age category in 1:04:09 and Claire Hawes and Emma Grainger finished in 1:08:33 and 1:14:57 respectively.

Ruby Red Running organised the perfect Grizzly training event last weekend- the Dalwood 3 Hills 10 mile race.  It was muddy, slippery and very wet especially as the river Yarty burst its banks on the morning of the event and a quick re-route had to be done to ensure the runners safety.

Most of the Dalwood MG runners

Four Mighty Greens took part in this seriously muddy, hilly trail race, with MG Scott Chown in his element ploughing through the flooded tracks and enjoying every minute.  Martin Barnard was the first SRC runner over the finish line in 1:32:31, 39^th out of a field of 167, with Scott finishing in 2:09:17, Charlie Fawell 2:12:20 and Christie Ward, first SRC female to finish in 2:29:15.

SRC Juniors Amelia and Emily at the Dalwood Dash

Alongside this event is the Dalwood Dash, a 6k muddy, boggy, hilly race with plenty of surface water to wade through. SRC were lucky to have 2 juniors representing the club, Emily Smith and Amelia Womersley-Westlake. Emily ran with her dad and finished 17^th in 50 minutes and Amelia had both her parents, Donna and Grahame, running with her.  Amelia who is already looking forward to the event next year finished in 1:06:00.  They all enjoyed the challenging course; knee high water at times and both did extremely well with this distance-congratulations.

Mighty Greens at Escot 10k

On Saturday Scott joined fellow Mighty Greens Alice Gill, Christine and Karen Farnham at Escot to take part in a 10k event organised by Exeter Trail races.  The one lap off road course took them around the scenic grounds of Escot with a few tough hill climbs and unavoidable mud.  All four of them enjoyed the event with Alice having to clean and dry her trainers quickly as she was on the SRC Sunday runners coach trip to run the East Devon Way the next morning!  Christine was the first SRC runner to finish in 1:01:43, 45^th out of a field of 90, with sister Karen not far behind in 1:02:17, Scott 1:03:00 and Alice 1:12:15.

Fundraising Naomi Garrick

The club’s social secretary Naomi Garrick missed out on the Sunday club run as she was in Brighton dressed as a dalmatian! The MG was taking part in the Brighton half marathon, the largest running event in the Southeast, raising money for International Animal Rescue.  Naomi who ran alongside 8,166 runners, finished in 2:02:32, her tail still wagging!

Mighty Green Emma Salter

Beginner’s course member Emma Salter has been showing her Mighty Green spirit on Wednesday club nights. After running the SRC 5k route without stopping Emma joined the 4-5 mile group the following week, with coach Terry Bewes on hand.  Emma did a great job running up hills and coping with the increased mileage and was determined to run non-stop all the way up Broadway to the finish.  Unfortunately, the effort she had put in took its toll with 3 metres to go and was sick but this did not put her off.  With encouragement from Terry, Emma got herself together and with a monumental effort ran past the finish.  Well done Emma!

If you heard Sidmouth Running Club’s chairman Terry Bewes on BBC Radio Devon recently you will already know that the club is busy preparing for their main fundraiser of the year, JP’s Exe to Axe race.  But did you know it will be the 20^th year of the race and that it was renamed in memory of John Perratt, founding member and long term treasurer of SRC?

Although Mighty Green Adrian Harris would rather be running the event with his trail shoes on, he volunteered to organize the event with a small but enthusiastic team.

Race director Adrian says, “If you love East Devon and trail running you are probably familiar with the three early season distance races: the Four Trigs [4 February], the Grizzly [17th March] and finally the Exe to Axe [7 April]. I’ve finished mid-pack in each of these on several occasions. Each is unique.

Race Director Adrian Harris

The Four Trigs starts and finishes in Sidmouth. It’s a friendly, low key 17 mile run that (as the name suggests) visits four Trig Points. If you are young, you may be unfamiliar with Trigs Points (triangulation stations), which are concrete posts built on top of hills by the Ordnance Survey while they waited for the invention of satellites. The character of the race is defined by the location of the Trigs: at the top of a hill!

The Grizzly is THE big race, known country wide. These days you can only enter by ballot. The race has grown in popularity through great marketing. It’s the race to enter if you want a tough 20 mile run amongst 2,000 runners and hordes of supporters. The part that I enjoy most are the motivational phrases that pepper the course: “You don’t stop running because you grow old, you grow old because you stop running”, etc.

Beautiful but brutal coastline

I love each of these races, but my heart is with the Exe to Axe. The Exe to Axe follows the South West Coast Path for 22 miles from Exmouth to Seaton. The challenging route with 1,300m of ascent is a showcase for Devon’s most dramatic coastline. It may not share the popularity of the Grizzly and you won’t see many Trig Points, but it’s obvious why it has previously been voted one of the best races in the country. And to top it all, this year is the 20th anniversary.

Some of the MG’s running 2023 E2A

If you’re reading this, there’s still time to enter. Simply visit www.siEnries.co.uk and search for Exe to Axe. If you are fast for your age, you could win a handcrafted, oak chopping board from Honiton Hardwoods. However, if you are like me and more middle or back of the pack, you can enjoy the weighty medal and goodies provided by King’s Garden Centres at the aid stations in Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Branscombe. And when you get to the finish, why not celebrate and buy a great coffee and some cake from the Nomadic Barista.”

Sustainable Prizes

On Sunday 4^th February four Mighty Greens, including junior SRC runner Amelia Womersley-Westlake took part in the Haldon Winter Series.  Organised by Purple Gecko Events it is a timed, no pressure trail run around the beautiful Haldon Forest.

The Haldon Winter Series Runners

Amelia ran the 5k route with her dad/junior coach, Grahame and was delighted to find out she was 1^st junior female, finishing in 46.51 which included a hill sprint finish.

Amelia with her medal and dad

MG’s Scott Chown, Clare Luke and Donna Womersley-Westlake found they had run 1145ft of elevation over the 10k route, not quite the flat route they thought it was going to be.  Scott finished in 1:15:37, and with Amelia running back up the final hill alongside them, Clare finished in 1:21:37 and Donna 1:38:08.  They were all appreciative of the weighty medal received.

Scott Chown in action

The 4 Trigs also took place on Sunday 4^th, organised by Marion and Robert Hayman, the local event is now in its 22^nd year and supports the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).  The aim is to visit each of the four Triangulation Pillars around the Sid Valley with runners choosing their own routes, but they must visit each Trig Point in order taking in the 5 Check points to help taper the route (approx. 17 miles).

The first clip point (of 9)

Jo Pavey MBE and sponsor Nigel Winchester (Ian Winchesters and Sons) sent the 104 entrants, including 24 Mighty Greens, on their way across the seafront towards High Peak under perfect weather conditions. Amelia Frankpitt, Debbie and Don Cawthera ran 2 trigs, Carol Hounsell, Sarah Watkins, Cathy Miller, Helen Palmer and Stuart Moul ran 3 trigs and 16 took on all 4.

Jo Pavey MBE and Nigel Winchester at the start

Finishing in joint 17^th position Martin Barnard and David Chipping were the first SRC males to return in 2:56:13, with MG Richard Summerhayes close behind in 3:02:38, 19^th.

Richard Summerhayes running through Sidbury

Louise Dalton was the first SRC female to finish in 4:09:30, 58^th place with MG Amanda Stokes seconds behind in 4:09:43.

Richard, Louise and Amanda

For Mighty Green Kerry Salter it wasn’t the 3740 feet of elevation that proved problematic, it was opening the variety of gates along the route; there were plenty of them and it certainly kept her running buddies Kathy Jordan and Alexa Baker amused!

Kerry, Kathy and Alexa

The runners appreciated the marshals and water stations along the way and it was great to see MG Derek Blackburn, not long back from his travels, in Sidbury cheering everyone on and taking photos.

Everyone received a medal on return thanks to sponsor Richard King of Kings Garden and Leisure and there was the opportunity to have a post-event massage from Kate Truman of Phyzz Soft Tissue Therapy for a donation to CRY. The kitchen team did a great job providing jacket potatoes or soup which the runners appreciated.

High Peak Trig

The 4 trigs is tough but the Mighty Greens like a challenge and all the more when it is for charity.  Marion and Robert are very grateful to everyone who supported this year’s event and helped raise an incredible £2,200!

Results Four Trigs: Martin Barnard 2:56:13; David Chipping 2:56:13; Richard Summerhayes 3:02:38; Colin Ryan 3:28:21; Adrian Harris 3:32:24; David King 3:56:50; Louise Dalton 4:09:30; Amanda Stokes 4:09:43; Richard King 4:24:04; Graham Sheppard 4:33:04; Naomi Garrick 4:39:25; David Wright 4:50:12; John Keast 5:01:55; Kerry Salter 5:10:57; Kathy Jordan 5:10:57; Alexa Baker 5:10:57

Last weekend Sidmouth Running Club’s Mark Andow took part in The Arc of Attrition 50, a point-to-point extreme coastal race taking in the stunning and dramatic Cornish coast path. Mark was on the cancellation list for this popular event organised by The Mud Crew and sponsored by La Sportivia so when the call came offering him a place, he only had a few days to decide whether to accept; luckily he was prepared having completed the Dartmoor 100 in November and running the longer Sunday club runs.

A focused Mark collecting his number

It was a very early hour long coach ride to the amazing start running up from the stage of the Minack Theatre out onto the South West Coast Path to then follow the hardest first 25 miles he had ever had to run, walk, climb and scramble over.

The race had strict cut-offs which meant 25 % of the field of runners did not finish and there was only one official checkpoint 25 miles in at St Ives. The MG found the second 25 miles misleading, as after long stretches of relative flatness, there would be huge descends and ascends up steep steps. Mark found it very taxing on the legs.

Beautiful but brutal coastline

Although a way-marked route there were parts that were challenging to navigate, particularly through the ‘Dunes of Doom, at night. Competitors needed the ability to be self-sufficient for long periods of time and Mark was really blessed by having the ‘crew support’ from his friend Richard who drove down the night before in his camper van. Richard met Mark repeatedly for food, fluids and encouragement. The MG said Richard being there made a real difference and was glad he was able to fit in a sea swim and get joined by a seal who swam with him. Without people like Richard and the scores of volunteers called the ‘Flying Angels’ these kind of extreme ultras could not be safely attempted, so my gratitude goes out them.

There were potentially challenging winter conditions, but luck held and the daytime was ideal for January with it being not too cold, blue skies with some sunshine although there were occasional light drizzles after the sun set. This helped Mark maintain a constant effort, if not speed, as the terrain was so varied. The MG was able to stay ahead of the cut offs and eventually completed it after 13.5hours!

Nailed it!

To sum up the extreme Mighty Green said The Arc race on the Cornish coast was tough but safe and well organised, brutally beautiful…and painful! Comparing it with the Dartmoor 100 Mark said they were both tough in different ways – Dartmoor total exhaustion over a long burn and The Arc of Attrition hard as had to put more intense effort, but not as mentally tiring.