On Sunday 4th 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 1st 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 4th, organised by Marion and Robert Hayman, the local event is now in its 22nd 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 17th 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, 19th.
Richard Summerhayes running through Sidbury
Louise Dalton was the first SRC female to finish in 4:09:30, 58th 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