Sidmouth Running Club members Amanda Stokes and Louise Dalton ran Winding Path’s Total Coastal on Saturday. Both ladies, who joined the club last year, have been steadily upping their distances and this event pushed them to the max.
Amanda Stokes enjoying the views
The 50k route had over 6500 feet of elevation including some of the steepest hills Amanda has faced so far and when you consider she recently ran the Exe to Axe that is saying something! Louise enjoyed the stunning views despite the technically tough course and said the sea was turquoise in some bays. Amanda finished 21st out of a field of 116 in 6:57:04 and Louise finished 39th in 7:32:20. Well done Mighty Greens!
Louise Dalton following the estuary
Further down the country in Cornwall, park run addicts Clive Gilbert and Derek Blackburn gained an ’E’ when they took part in the Eden Project park run. Or as Clive put it, two Mighty Greens ran around something mighty and green! It turned out is was Derek’s 5th ‘E’ and is part of his second alphabet challenge.
Clive and Derek in search of an ‘E’
On Sunday the focus was on the London marathon with many club members downloading the app to follow the progress of the seven Mighty Greens who were taking part including three first timers. Richard Summerhayes was one of them, getting his place from the ballot, and he had a cracking run finishing in 3:14:34. David King was the second Mighty Green to finish in 3:45:00, 12th in his age group (70) and 1 hour 10 minutes under the good for age time-fantastic!
Lynda Hawkins at the start
Experienced London marathoners Lynda Hawkins, Richard King and Jane Hemsworth thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere; Richard said the crowds were exceptional and highly recommends the experience.
Richard King loving every minute
This marathon was Jane’s 50th and she ran to raise money for Cancer Research. Lynda finished in 3:48:16, Richard 4:00:56 and Jane 4:58:16-brilliant!
Jane Hemsworth celebrating 50 marathons!
It wasn’t that long ago when Kathy Jordan joined the beginners’ course with SRC so it was a very proud moment to follow her progress running her first marathon. Kathy had also been lucky in the ballot and took the opportunity to fundraise for Millwater School where she works. Her hours of training paid off and she ran very consistently to finish in 5:23:03.
Kathy Jordan smiling all the way
Running her first (and last!) London marathon was the mightiest of Mighty Greens, Marion Johnson. Marion (76) is an inspiration to Sidmouth Running Club, training relentlessly, working closely with PT Josh Solman to build strength, running here, there and everywhere and raising an incredible amount of money for Leukaemia Care whom she was running for.
Inspirational Marion Johnson
Although Marion found it hugely hard and challenging especially after mile 19, the MG finished under her target time in 6:09:15, a good for age time!
All the Mighty Greens said it was a great day out with amazing support from the spectators and are encouraging the club runners to enter the ballot.