Local Mighty Green Toby Garrick has just run 8 Marathons in 8 Days all in aid of Prostate Cancer. Following a diagnosis of a close friend of his, Toby was shocked at just how many people had been affected by Prostate Cancer. 1 in 8 men globally are diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and now this form of Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. This spurred on a challenge – 8 Marathons in 8 Days in an attempt to raise money and awareness for the charity Prostate CancerUK.

Toby said, one of the biggest challenges was trying to find flat routes in our very hilly Devonian countryside! With the support of his mum, SRC’s social secretary Naomi and dad Mike they ventured to the Granite Way in Dartmoor, Tiverton Canal, went from Exmouth to Tipton (and back) and ended up running along the estuary from Exmouth to Teignmouth twice, and doing the return leg twice. The very last (and quickest of all the Marathons!) was in Bath in a celebratory final marathon with family and friends.  The Mighty Green soon got into a routine, wake up, eat as much as he could fit in, drink many pints of salty electrolyte water, do some stretching and then head off for a marathon! Once the days running was over, he would hobble to the car and recovery would be the priority straight away. He spent the rest of the day forcing himself to eat as much as he could to refuel and prepare for the next day.

Mighty Greens Naomi and Toby Garrick

Toby still cannot believe that despite running 8 Marathons in a row (210Miles/338KM) he is injury free. His body aches and is knackered – and the discomfort throughout the week was not fun in the slightest, but somehow his body was able to adapt and push him on just one step at a time. The Mighty marathoner was amazed at how our bodies are and how much they can put up with and found the mental side more challenging. Trying to motivate himself to run hour after hour, day after day is hard, very hard; especially when he’d already ran that same route 3 times before! Toby said having support from family, friends and even strangers through donations and messages helped to keep motivation high and even in low moments, it was the generosity of others that made the pain and struggle worth it. At the time of writing Toby has raised just over £3000 which he said was completely unexpected as he said the most important thing was raising awareness.

“1 in 8 men get Prostate Cancer. That is not a rare diagnosis. What is even more harrowing is how many of these men have been diagnosed due to complete chance. Sadly, these chance diagnoses often result in the diagnosis arriving too late and the cancer reaching a level that is no longer treatable. With the recent news of Sir Chris Hoy being diagnosed with terminal Prostate Cancer, this awareness couldn’t be more appropriate. This challenge was an attempt to get these conversations going – if you are/or know of any male over 40 who hasn’t taken those first steps to get checked, please try to get those conversations going. Let them know that it all just starts with a simple blood test.” If anybody would like to visit Toby’s fundraiser you can type in Toby Garrick on JustGiving to donate and check out all of the marathons in detail.

Magnificent marathoner Toby with his proud parents

It was a running orientated weekend for Sidmouth Running Club’s Deb and Don Cawthera.  On Friday evening they attended the SRC strength and conditioning class run by Josh Solman of JMS Training, enjoyed the Seaton parkrun on Saturday and ran the ColyTen race on Sunday!

Don, Louise, Deb and Becky at the ColyTen

The ColyTen, organised by Axe Valley Runners, is a challenging 10 mile off road run involving plenty of mud and several river crossings.  Louise Dalton was the first Mighty Green female to cross the line in 1:34:14 and Mark Norton, who is getting more comfortable running through fields with cows in, was the first MG male to finish in 1:43:27. Results: Becky Knapman 1:49:57; Deb Cawthera 1:51:04; Don Cawthera 1:51:05; Gertrude De Waard 2:04:31.

Mark, Becky, Gertrude and Louise

Our MG twins Karen and Christine Farnham ran the City Power 9 mile Run at Exeter racecourse.  Karen said they began with a gallop around the racecourse where the going was good to firm before heading along the trails in Harcombe Woods part of Haldon Forest.  Christine finished in 1:25:15 and Karen 1:28:03.

Christine and Karen at the races

Run leader Clive Gilbert accompanied his daughter Megan on her first half marathon, the Royal Parks Foundation Half, in Hyde Park, London on Sunday. Clive thoroughly enjoyed the route taking several selfies along the way with iconic buildings in the background. They finished in 2:39:13.

Clive and Megan cross the line

Clare Luke and Sarah Watkins took on Winding Paths, The Loop; a 20 miler with 4,000 feet of elevation starting from Broadsands, out towards Kingswear and back towards Brixham harbour.  Vice Chair and run leader Sarah said it was a brutal route with beautiful views when they were brave enough to look at them!  They finished in 6:02:00.

Sarah and Clare relieved to have finished

At the same time Mighty Green Lynda Hawkins was running the Chicago marathon with her daughter Kaylee.  Lynda finished in 3:53:31 which qualified her for Boston.

Lynda ringing the bell

Junior leader Donna Womersley-Westlake really pushed herself this weekend, taking part in the 50 mile Potter Round The Otter. A LDWA unmanned event, Donna had to self navigate her way around the route which became more of a challenge as night fell. The Mighty Green kept going relentlessly to finish this super long, hard event at 4am in the morning, an incredible 18 hours on her feet! (No photos of Donna as she was on a mission)

Six Mighty Greens headed out of the valley on Sunday to take part in the Principality Cardiff half marathon along with 22,000+ runners and all came back absolutely buzzing from the electric atmosphere.

Mighty Green Sarah Clapham thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to run with her children, although son Tom didn’t hang around finishing in 1:43:22! All three were running for charity, Sarah Dementia UK, daughter Molly Mind and Tom Cardiff University Cancer Research and they did them proud. Sarah was very pleased with her time of 2:01:22 and Molly finished just 34 seconds behind her. It is always a pleasure to have Tom and Molly join the club night runs when they are visiting back home.

MG Sarah with Tom and Molly

For teacher Naomi Garrick it was a trip down memory lane as she spent four years in Cardiff doing her degree. Although the Mighty Green was fundraising for MIND, she was very focused on achieving a sub 2 hour time, so much so she ditched the fancy dress she is so well known for and didn’t speak to anyone during the race! It paid off though and with a determined last push finished in 1:59:50. Naomi later found out her nephew Dan Nash was the first Welsh person to finish in 65:13-running obviously runs in the family.

Naomi very happy with her sub 2hrs

Cousins Kyle, Cameron and Ashley Baker with their respective partners Nikita Kay, Megan Pewsey and Maisy Brooke all came away with PB’s bar Ashley.  They enjoyed the stunning views, MG Nikita especially liked Penarth Marina and Cardiff Bay and all said the spectator support especially around the Millenium Centre was incredible and very loud- a major highlight.  The entertainment and food stations were plentiful and MG Cameron, running his first half marathon, said it was the free Lucozade that kept him going. Head coach Kyle said the route was very flat compared to what we are used to running around here, with two hills, one gradual and one steep which caught MG Megan out at mile 12. Despite this Megan went on to finish in 1:47:12, the first SRC to cross the line with Kyle finishing in 1:49:45. Nikita, Maisy and Ashley finished in 2:02:22 and 2:04:47 respectively and Cameron in 2:18:49. We are hopeful that Ashley and Maisy might join the green side!

The Baker family outing

The first fortnightly off road by torch session run by John and Ben Chesters was very popular on Wednesday and chairman Terry’s Monday training sessions had a soggy start but this did not deter our mighty club runners.  The junior group is growing and every session has a new challenge; it’s hard to tell who has the most fun the children or the adult helpers! A special mention must go to junior Amelia Womersley-Westlake who has been working on improving her 5k park run time and gained a new PB, 30:52, knocking 2 minutes off her previous best-fabulous!

Amelia with dad Grahame at Exmouth PR

Four Sidmouth Running Club members took part in Bradley’s 10k on Sunday and received a free facial to boot! Organised by LM Events, the Mighty Greens found it great going in one direction but really hard going in the other especially as they were getting sandblasted by the strong gusty wind along the seafront route.

Colin Ryan being blown to victory

Colin Ryan had a cracking run finishing 20^th in a field of 158 and first in his age category 55-69 in 44:27. The other Mighty Greens weren’t far behind with Chris Parker finishing in 48:57, Yasmin Salter 51:21 and Nikita Kay 54:56 a new PB.

Nearly everyone at the start of Bradleys 10k

Further inland but not escaping the wind Sidmouth Running Club was represented by nine adults and three juniors at Honiton Running Club’s Honiton Hippo.

Nearly everyone at the Honiton Hippo

Taking part in the Hippo Calf, 3k event were juniors Catherine Witowski and Amelia Womersley-Westlake along with their mum’s Helen and Donna. Amelia knocked 3.5 minutes off last years’ time finishing in 25.03 and Catherine finished not far behind in 25.08.

Catherine and Amelia with Helen and Donna

New for this year was the 5k Hungry Hippo for 11+ year olds which junior Christopher Witowski entered and completed in 32.23. Both these routes included hills, mud and water which the Hippo itself is renowned for along with 2 river crossings, interesting water features and 1191 feet of elevation.

Christopher is off

Focused Grahame Womersley-Westlake ignored the inflatable crocodiles and charged through the water pit to finish in 1:11:00, first male SRC to finish.

Grahame ploughing through the river

Unfortunately, the wind disrupted MG’s Mark Andow and Louise Dalton’s run when the wind broke a cordon in the woods and they ran an extra loop which included a steep hill but this detour didn’t stop Louise being the first female SRC runner to finish in 1:19:00!

Mark and Louise having fun

Scott Chown knocked an incredible 18 minutes off his previous time and Clare Luke 11 minutes! Clare took time to enjoy the crocodile inflatables with Brigid McEleney-Smith whose crocodile had a tendency to veer right.

Brigid and Clare heading in the right direction

The taller runners certainly had the advantage with the final river crossing but everyone embraced the challenge and had Donna and Amelia cheering them on.

Results: Grahame Womersley-Westlake 1:11:00; Mark Andow 1:19:00; Louise Dalton 1:19:00; Scott Chown 1:20:00; Emily Hardingham 1:32:00; Brigid Mc Eleney-Smith 1:39:00; Clare Luke 1:39:00.

The heavy mist and gloom on Dartmoor soon lifted to create the perfect running conditions, sun and a warm wind, which were much appreciated by four Sidmouth Running Club members taking on the 11 Tors Of Dartmoor Challenge on Saturday. Organised by Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Tavistock to raise much needed funds Mark Norton, Alice Gill, Janice Ransom and Hannah Maslen thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Janice, Alice, Hannah and Mark on Dartmoor

Thirteen Mighty Greens ran at 8 parkrun events including Colin Ryan, Christine Farnham and Julia Haddrell at Seaton parkrun.

Colin and Christine at sunny Seaton

Colin’s time of 21:12 was a tantalizing four seconds away from his PB at Seaton. Further afield Debbie & Don Cawthera ran at Nant y Pandy (Anglesey) parkrun; the route takes in red squirrel inhabited woodland and Debbie was very fortunate to see one.

Don and Debbie

Clive Gilbert was one of 37 park runners at Newent parkrun in the Forest of Dean who braved the torrential thunderstorms. The Mighty Green finished in 10^th place.

Emma Grainger took part in Teignbridge Trotters Ladies 10k on Sunday. This is a favourite event of Emma’s as every finisher receives a unique memento.  The race started from Ipplepen Cricket Club and followed scenic, undulating rural lanes through the local hamlets of Ogwell and Denbury. The Mighty Green finished in 1:19:52.

Emma and her artwork

Louise Dalton, Mark Andow and Stuart Moul took part in the Trust 10k event at The Golden Cap in Dorset. The National Trust have been running these free events on the last Sunday of every month between March and October throughout the UK to encourage runners to enjoy the landscapes and nature surrounding you rather than a competitive event supported by timing systems. The Golden Cap route is a challenging multi terrain run involving steep climbs and uneven, muddy paths but this didn’t stop the intrepid Mighty Greens from enjoying the views at the top.

Louise, Stuart and Mark

The Mighty Greens like to challenge themselves and Jim Hudson and Liz Wright certainly have over the last two weekends. Both took part in the Get Guts Jurassic coastal walk, 22 miles between Seaton and Exmouth raising money and awareness for RD&E’s Stoma group. Over £1,800 was raised which made getting soaked through from Budleigh onwards all the more worthwhile. It was off to the Peak District then to take part in the 9 Edges Fell race in the Peak District.  The 20 mile off road route started in Fairholmes and took in high moorland and grit stone edges to finish in the Robin Hood pub near Birchen Edge.  Jim said it was an excellent event with great weather and route.

Jim Hudson

Jo Earlam also challenged herself by running her 102^nd marathon after a year gap.  The Mighty Green took part in Running Events Devon 100 marathon club’s AGM event on Saturday. Jo said it was a beautiful day to be running along the old railway line between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton and was very pleased with her 5:40:00 finish time.

Jo Earlam

It’s not just the adults who like a challenge; junior Jude Carson was on Exeter canal with the Mighty Green Dragon Boat racing team last Sunday practising his paddling and drumming skills for the first time and this weekend he took part in his first park run at Exmouth.

Jude with the MG Dragons

Talking of park runs SRC’s Maja Luna ran her 25^th at Cranbrook while Don Cawthera and Derek Blackburn ran their 150^th.  Don and wife Debbie ran with 54 other park runners along an old railway line in Dolgellau, North Wales and Derek ran on the former Frys Chocolate factory in Keynsham.

Sidmouth Running Club Juniors, coaches and helpers had a very memorable last session before they broke for Summer; an evening with Olympian Jo Pavey MBE. Jo shared her experiences from grass roots running to life in an Olympic Village (very distracting with lots of food options!), took time to answer lots of questions and gave everyone the opportunity to look at/wear her very weighty medals including her Commonwealth gold medal.

Junior run leaders Grahame and Donna with Jo Pavey MBE

Everyone went for a short run together before heading back inside for a presentation of awards for the children by SRC junior coaches Donna and Grahame Womersley-Westlake.  Congratulations go to Jude and Freyja Carson, most improved male and female; Marcus Wieffer and Flynn Lancaster, best loopers under 11 and over 11; Christopher Witowski and Amelia Womersley, most represented SRC at events; Samuel Crompton, most encouraging; Hunter Ingram most supportive; Emily Smith and Louis Bridges, best attendance under 11 and over 11; Jack Westlake Chairman’s award.

Samuel receiving his award

Eleanor Wieffer, Mac Jones, Catherine Witowski, Margot Ingram, Reuben Johnson, Jackson Jarmy, Isaac and Clayton Vickery all received participation awards for their consistent effort and positive contribution to the club. It was an amazing evening to round off a great term of trail runs, not only did the juniors get to run alongside an Olympian they received their certificates and trophies from one too; the club is very grateful to Jo for taking the time out of her very busy schedule to spend time and inspire the juniors. As Grahame said, “can’t wait to see what another year of running with these stars will bring!”

Running with an Olympian

If you are interested in joining the Juniors on a Wednesday evening 5.45-6.45 from September please contact the club on www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk

Four SRC juniors completed the Pretty Muddy 5k run in very wet conditions on Saturday raising an amazing £495 for Cancer Research.

The awesome foursome

Reuben Johnson finished the 5km run in 25 minutes completing one of the obstacles, Jude Carson finished in 30 minutes completing all but one of the obstacles, Amelia Womersley and Emily Smith, finished in 41.5 minutes and conquered all the obstacles along the way. As the name suggests they were all pretty muddy at the end but very pleased to have taken part.  Well done to the awesome foursome!

A muddy Jude

Nine Mighty Greens took part in 7 park run events this week including Derek Blackburn who completed his second alphabet running at Valentines parkrun in Ilford, Essex.  This means the MG has completed 50 park runs, 2 of which start with each letter of the alphabet (no x). It’s currently possible to complete 9 alphabets, so Derek still has plenty to aim for.

Derek feeling romantic

Have you spotted SRC’s flag in town?  We were delighted to take part in Sidmouth School of Art’s community flag project-they really brighten up the town.

Flying the flag for SRC

July is the time to experience the lighter side of Honiton Running Club’s Blackdown Beast-the Blackdown Beauty and four Mighty Greens did just that.  Starting from Hemyock Junior School, the self-navigating route took them through the very picturesque Blackdown Hills.

Beauties Ann, Neville, Charlie and Jane

This is very much a social run not a race with a cream tea stop halfway round in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. SRC’s Jane Hemsworth and Ann Cole were very appreciative of a warming cup of tea having got caught in a downpour, they both ran the 11.75 mile route.  Charlie Fawell and Neville Hylton ran the 18.5 mile route which is a great achievement being full of scones, jam and cream!

A rather damp Jane and Ann

The Otter River and Rail 10k and fun run also took place on Saturday organised by Tipton St John Playing Field Association in conjunction with Sidmouth Running Club. It was a case of how many Mighty Greens does it take to fill chairman Terry Bewes’ shoes following another fracture on Monday AFTER the club run. Only 3 weeks back running after four months off following his fall which fractured his elbow, he is now looking at 6+ weeks off running with a fractured ankle; Terry is certainly being tested this year! Terry was very grateful to Brigid McEleney-Smith, Jo Earlam and Alexa Baker who (under his supervision) erected the finish line arch and flags early in the morning ahead of the event.  Also stepping up was MG Naomi Garrick who led the warmups before the runs in a very fun fashion and Leeann Thomson who along with Jo were the back runners.

A Mighty Green turn out

Five juniors proudly represented the club in the 2k fun run with Reuben finishing in 9 minutes, Harry 11 minutes, Amelia 12 minutes, Anna 14 minutes and Jack who stopped to help a young boy who had fallen, 22 minutes. They all enjoyed themselves especially the jelly snake at the end!

Twenty Two Mighty Greens enjoyed the 10k run along the river Otter, through Harpford Woods, along the old railway line back towards Tipton, through fields out to Fluxton and along muddy tracks back to the village playing fields. Roger Worthinton was the first male SRC to finish in 51:36, 50^th out of a field of 230 runners and Kerry Boyle first female SRC to finish in 53:06.  Mighty Greens Catherine Hilton and David King won first local woman finishing in 56:57 and first in MV70 age category in 54:22 respectively and everyone received a bottle of Otter Brewery beer.

The Juniors gather

Results: Roger Worthington 51:36; Colin L’Anson 51:50; Kerry Boyle 53:06; Adrian Harris 53:43; David King 54:22; Catherine Hilton 56:57; Richard King 57:06; Tim Swarbrick 57:15; Yasmin Salter 57:57; Naomi Garrick 59:10; Scott Chown 59:33; Katy Cartwright 59:83; Christine Farnham 1:00:19; Karen Farnham 1:01:12; Sarah Clapham 1:03:18; Brigid McEleney-Smith 1:03:18; Carol Hounsell 1:08:02; Grace Wightman 1:14:02; Marion Johnson 1:17:54; Donna Womersley-Westlake 1:19:45;  Hannah Wightman 1:19:48; Emma Grainger 1:22:10

Sidmouth Running Club’s Donna, Grahame and Amelia Womersley-Westlake enjoyed Cranbrook’s first colour run on Saturday.  They took part in the 2km family fun run around the country park passing multiple colour stations along the way.  Luckily, they substituted white t-shirts for their Mighty Green ones as all three were covered from head to toe by the end and Donna needed her MG shirt for the following day.

The Barmy Cranbrook Colour Runners

Donna was joined by four Mighty Greens on Sunday to run in LME Events’ Balmy Bicton 10k. Starting and finishing at Millwater School the route takes in quiet country lanes with off road sections. Living up to its’ name the run was balmy with rain threatening though fortunately the deluge held off till after the race had finished. Chris Parker was the first Mighty Green to finish in 23^rd place out of a field of 106 in a very fast 47:16, MG Scott Chown also finished under the hour in 57:39.  Judith Jeeves was the first female MG to finish in 1:01:51, closely followed by Alice Gill in 1:05:02 and Donna in 1:15:05.

The Balmy Bicton 10k-ers

Whilst some Mighty Greens were at JMS Training’s strength and conditioning class run leader Yasmin Salter represented SRC at the Exeter River Run on Friday evening.  Yasmin really enjoyed the flat course and stunning scenery-not that she had time to take it all in as she finished in 51:14!

Yasmin after a very fast 10k

The club was represented by 17 SRC park runners in 8 different locations including London, Winchester, Devizes, Frogmary Green Farm, Victoria Dock, Seaton, Exmouth and Cranbrook.  It was David Skinner’s 278^th park run the most recorded by a Mighty Green.

Clive at Victoria Dock

Five Mighty Greens ran the Exe Estuary half marathon which took place on Sunday.  Organised by Winding Paths and based at Budleigh Salterton the multi terrain race started with a 5 mile loop around the River Otter before heading on the coast path towards Exmouth and returning to Budleigh.  Despite the hilly course (1700 ft elevation), hot conditions and a wrong turn where two speedy ladies overtook her, MG Louise Dalton finished in 11^th position out of a field of 103 in 2:06:48.

Results:  Louise Dalton 2:06:48; Becky Knapman 2:30:43; Sarah Watkins 3:10:03; Carol Hounsell 3:10:03; Clare Luke 3:10:04

Clare, Carol, Sarah, Louise and Becky

It was misson accomplished for Mighty Greens Chris McCormick, Neville and Kay Hylton when they ran the most northern marathon after weeks of training and preparation.  Starting in Tromsø, the Arctic capital of Norway at 69 degrees north about 350 km north of the arctic circle Kay and Christine started the half marathon at 9pm finishing in 2:43 and 2:47 respectively.

Chris, Nev and Kay

Neville started the marathon at 8:30pm finishing in 4:02. Neville said there wasn’t any ice or polar bears but the race lived up to its name, with blinding sunlight and blue sky throughout the night. It was bizarre waiting to run a marathon so late; winter club runs will seem odd in the dark!

The only polar bear Nev encountered

SRC’s Lynda Hawkins ran her first ultra marathon with her daughter Kaylee last weekend and they chose a challenging one; GB Ultra Wales.  In the words of Lynda, a 52 mile extreme, brutal, insane, beautiful mountain and trail race up Cadair Idris Penygader (893m) and the Queen of the Rhinogs’ Rhinog Fach (712m) with good organisation, lots of food and supportive marshals.

MG Lynda with daughter Kaylee