Seventeen intrepid Mighty Greens took part in the inaugural Westdown Wander on Sunday, the final race in the Sidmouth Running Clubs’ Autumn challenge, grateful that the continuous rain had stopped.
The multi terrain 9 mile race, superbly organised by Exmouth Harriers, started on the sand opposite The Ocean in Exmouth which was an interesting experience and soon spread the field of 130 runners as they ran to Orcombe Point. The route took you up past the Geo Needle, along the muddy and somewhat slippery SW coast path past the Westdown Beacon before heading inland through the East Devon golf course and back along footpaths, cycle paths and squelchy fields!
It had a feel of the Grizzly cub to it especially as at around mile 6 you could hear the bagpipes which were very encouraging as it was on a stretch of relentless cycle path and you couldn’t help but smile and even pick up your pace.
The Mighty Greens gather before the inaugural Westdown Wander
Ollie Goodchild-Horne was the first SRC over the finish line in 22nd place, 1:16:08, 3rd in his age category and Christine Farnham was also 3rd in her age category whilst David King and Terry Bewes were first in theirs. The Mighty Greens are hopeful this challenging event will return next year.
Results: Ollie Goodchild Horne 1:16:08; Grahame Womersley-Westlake 1:24:03; Mark Norton 1:24:57; David King 1:26:06; Don Cawthera 1:29:16; Christine Farnham 1:37:51; Stuart Moul 1:38:31; Karen Farnham 1:38:55; Bert Dykema1:38:59; Deb Cawthera 1:39:58; Sarah Clapham 1:46:26; David Wright 1:46:27; Kerry Salter 1:52:15; Helen Palmer 2:01:27; Alexa Baker 2:05:40; Donna Womersley-Westlake 2:17:20; Terry Bewes 2:17:23.