Our Mighty Green twins, Christine and Karen Farnham, enjoyed Sportivas’ Devon Trail 10k on Saturday. Three hundred and forty nine runners started from Bicton College where the single loop course took them on to Woodbury Common along some cracking trails with some tough little climbs and a couple of stream crossings; although there was water everywhere! Christine finished in 1:06:37 and Karen in 1:07:24.
Karen and Christine enjoying their 10k
Not ones to shy from a challenge Clare Luke and Donna Womersley-Westlake joined up with friend Emma Wiles from Up and Running club, Torquay to take on Climb South Wests’ 8 Trig Challenge. In its 4th year the self-navigating route was in an anticlockwise direction and covered 34.3 miles with 5453 feet of elevation.
A dusky trig
The previous week’s flat marathon had left its mark with Clare as her calf grumbled five miles in but this did not stop the Mighty Green and with her team mates visited all trig points to finish at 8.22pm, 12 hours and 12 minutes. Donna said it was definitely a challenge but she enjoyed it, even after slipping over in the mud and Clare said the medal was worth the pain. Both agreed the back sweepers were very helpful and encouraging and shared many a laugh with them all the way to the finish line.
Still smiling after 12 hours
Mighty Green Niall Hawkins headed to Bideford to take part in ‘possibly the fastest 10 miler in Devon’ on Sunday. Niall found the wind a struggle on the Tarka Trail between mile 5 and 9 but he still finished in an astonishing quick 1:08:21!
A pint of Guinness and a solid medal for Niall
In glorious sunshine 22 Mighty Greens set off from Sidford Social Hall alongside 234 fellow runners taking part in LMEs’ Sidmouth 10k on Sunday. Not only were the MG’s out in force running there were plenty marshalling along the course too, cheering everyone along, especially at the top of Hillside Road!
The start of the Sidmouth 10k
The out and back route takes you down the Byes, up Hillside Road, down Laskeys Lane and Beatlands, over the Ford, along the seafront and back again. Hot from the tar barrels, run leader Yasmin Salter was the first SRC over the finish line in 52:46 in 61st position with fellow run leader Richard King hot on her heels finishing in 53:21, 64th place. Mighty Green Marion Johnson won her age category in 1:10:10, her marathon training and strength and conditioning sessions paying off. Organiser Lizzie Mayne and her team ensured the event ran smoothly and always asks the runners to bring a smile; there were plenty of smiles evident throughout the morning especially crossing the finish line and definitely no fireworks!
Most of the Mighty Greens at the Sidmouth 10k
Results: Yasmin Salter 52:46; Richard King 53:21; Clive Gilbert 55.45; Naomi Garrick 53:21; Georgia Gater 57:21; Paul Reeve 57:34; Greg Ward 57:46; Neville Hylton 58:09; Nikita Kay 58:48; Scott Chown 1:00:34; Cameron Baker 1:00:54; Charlie Fawell 1:01:02; Adrian Horne 1:06:09; Kathy Jordan 1:07:26; Alexa Baker 1:07:27; Christie Ward 1:08:08; Jo Earlam 1:10:09; Marion Johnson 1:10:10; Kay Hylton 1:16:22; Christine McCormick 1:16:29; Julia Haddrell 1:17:41; Ann Cole 1:22:11