When Sidmouth Running Club members Beccy Johnson and Kathy Jordan signed up for Winding Paths Summer Trails 10k, they were hopeful the 6.30pm start would mean a cooler temperature to run in.  This was not the case; in fact, it was 25 degrees, and they were very glad of their Mighty Green running vests!  There were shady spots too through the wooded areas of Dartington Estate as well as gates, hills and some tricky terrain to navigate.

A welcome bit of shade

The MG’s were drawn to enter the event because of the fantastic finishers medal which features a stag’s head and were very pleased to receive one after finishing in 1:17:00.  Beccy said the event was very well organised with lovely friendly marshals and they enjoyed watching the sunset on the way home.

Beccy and Kathy loving their medals

Exmouth Parkrun was the venue for a collaboration with The Box (OJ Gym) and Sidmouth Running Club members of the gym last Saturday.  It was also MG Carol Hounsell’s first park run since her knee injury and was testament to her commitment to rehab training with PT Josh Solman that she had a great run.  Mighty Green Donna Womersley-Westlake was very pleased to finish in 32 minutes, a new PB and MG’s Clare Luke and Nikita Kay both ran sub 30 minutes.  Two Sidmouth Running Club Juniors took part in the parkrun too, running with MG Grahame Womersley-Westlake. Amelia Womersley finished in 41 minutes and brother Jack Westlake finished in 42 minutes; 5^th and 7^th place in the under 10’s category.

Members of SRC and OJ The Box at Exmouth Parkrun

Grahame and Josh were spotted later at Marion Johnson’s London marathon soup and sandwich fundraiser which was very well supported by Mighty Greens, family and friends.  It was a novelty seeing everyone in ‘civvies’ and an opportunity to chat without puffing and panting whilst eating delicious soup and an array of sandwiches and cakes!  Marion, who attends Josh’s fitness sessions,  and her team of helpers did a superb job which was reflected in the total raised, £987, in two hours and amazingly, direct donations to her JustGiving page made by those unable to get to the event has taken her over the £2,000 target!  Marion, who is running the London Marathon for the first time at the age of 75 for Leukaemia Care is, as one of her donors wrote, an inspiration for health, fitness and eternal youth and her energy is amazing. Huge Mighty Green Congratulations Marion.

Incognito Mighty Greens at Marion’s fundraiser

Sidmouth Running Club had a record turn out for their AGM on Wednesday evening with members struggling to park their cars way ahead of the 7pm start. Is this because chairman Terry Bewes following Covid, has honed it down to a 5 minute affair in an outside space before the club run?  The running club members really appreciate the time Terry, treasurer Tim Clay, secretary Cheryl Boulton and the committee members put into the Mighty Green running machine!

The AGM

With the business over with it was time to run and the club split into four with Sarah Watkins leading the 3 mile group, Alexa Baker leading the 4-5 mile group stepping in for Kyle Baker at the last minute as he had just injured himself sprinting with the 11+ group (was he being too competitive?!?), Clive Gilbert leading the 6 mile group and Ben Chesters leading the fast 6 mile group.

Sarah’s 3 mile group enjoying the view!

Without realising it three of the leaders took their groups via Natasha’s bench and took a group photo with the beautiful coastal view behind them.

Alexa’s 4-5 mile group enjoying the view!

Ben and his group were like deer popping out of the trees and undergrowth all over the place!

Clive’s 6 mile group enjoying the view!

It was a lovely venue for an AGM and run-here’s to another year of Mighty Green running!

SRC’s Antony Hall took his Mighty Green running vest and matching Mighty Green trainers to America to compete in the 127^th Boston marathon having qualified with his time from running the Manchester marathon last year.

Look at those MG trainers!

Antony caught his bus transfer out to the start at Hopkinton and made his way in the drizzle along with 30 thousand fellow runners to the start line. Once they got underway, a steady undulating route followed, with great views and absolutely incredible support from the locals for the whole way, which was especially helpful when they reached the infamous Heartbreak Hill at mile 20, which Antony said certainly lived up to its name!

Well deserved medal

With that out the way, it was a straight run to the finish outside the Boston public library to huge applause from the crowd and the Mighty Green picked up his medal after finishing in a steady but respectable 3.33.05.

Antony had a great time saying the support and kindness of the local community make this one of the best races he has done in a long time!

It was the 200^th Exmouth parkrun on Saturday and whilst Sidmouth Running Club’s press officer, Alexa Baker, ran with a sandwich board advertising the upcoming Sidmouth Celebrates weekend, Mighty Green Beccy Johnson set out to get a new sub 30 PB.  Despite the strong headwind and rain in the air Beccy was delighted to learn she had run the 3 mile/5k route in 28 minutes.

Beccy Johnson and Alexa Baker @ Exmouth’s 200th parkrun

It was the turn of run leader Richard King to take the clubs’ Sunday run, billed as a social 7/8 mile loop with everyone welcome and nobody will be left behind.

Ten club runners joined Richard and despite the hill start enjoyed the descent through Harpford woods.

Going up means amazing views

The tracks were surprisingly mud free despite the recent rain and the river crossing was over very low water.  It was very warm and everyone appreciated the breeze as they turned to follow the river at Colaton Raleigh.  It was at Otterton that Richard was spotted checking his watch and he announced that he might be a bit out on the mileage.

Following Richard through Otterton

The group gave him some stick but gamely followed him through Otterton and up Bar’s Lane to the top of Peak Hill.

Getting closer to home

It was after crossing the road onto Muttersmoor that post Grizzly legs started to complain and bananas and jelly babies were consumed for a final boost of energy to get back down past the golf course and to the cars.

Richard totally redeemed himself from the mileage miscalculation when he opened the boot of his car and offered everyone cake, peanuts and water.

How many miles?!?

It was the perfect end to an enjoyable dry morning out before the forecasted rain started again.

To find out more about Sidmouth Celebrates the SW coast path events including a Junior fun run with optional obstacles, an adult slide and climb and free walks with free cream teas visit www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk

On Saturday Sidmouth Running Club’s Christine and Karen Farnham took part in the City Runs Power Run at Exeter racecourse.  The dynamic duo opted to run the quarter marathon option which started with a ‘gallop’ around the racecourse before heading out into Harcombe Woods on Haldon Hill.

The Dynamic Duo Powered Through Their Quarter Marathon

Mighty Green Karen said the going was good, and it must have been as Christine was 3^rd lady home in 0:58:00, 13^th place with Karen only a couple of minutes behind in 1:00:21 finishing in 23^rd place out of a field of 62.

Christine Farnham Was Third Woman Home

Sidmouth Running Club’s Jo Earlam, Leeann Thomson and Rachel Barnard headed down to St Ives Bay Holiday Park last weekend but this was no holiday!  The trio were taking part in Votwo’s The Atlantic Coast Challenge, 78.6 miles over 3 days, along some of the wildest coastline in Britain.

Day 1 saw the Mighty Greens run from Padstow to Perranporth, 27 miles with 4,000 feet of climb.  They had an unexpected phone call from chairman Terry Bewes enroute who was following their progress on the GPS tracking app and realised they had gone off course! Despite the deviation the ladies finished in 8:55 hours.

Still smiling!

A fresh pair of legs joined the trio on Saturday, vice chairman Sarah Watkins.  Together they ran the second marathon distance Perranporth to St Ives.  The Mighty Green ladies tackled the wild and rugged terrain in brilliant sunshine which made the sea turquoise and the scenery stunning and finished in 9:21 hours.

Sunning scenery in the Autumn sun

Day 3, the third marathon was from Lelant to Lands End and was full of steep climbs and descents that tested their concentration as well as their strength and stamina.  All four MG’s were delighted to cross the finish line after a long, hard 11:06 hours and receive their well deserved classic challenge medal and a Cornish pasty!

Some of the rocky terrain conquered

With these 3 marathons in the bag, Jo is getting ever nearer to her 100^th marathon with just 6 to go!