Jess wins her Ultra

Jess at the 50 miler

Sidmouth Runners were out in force last weekend knocking out the miles in a variety of west country locations.

Once again filling her fellow club members with awe Jessica Raynor headed up to Taunton to compete in the low key but tough ‘Westcountry Ultra Flat 50 Miler’. Jess had a stunning race. Starting at 7.30am, 50 runners set off on a course which started in Taunton, followed the canal path to Bridgewater Docks, then along the River Parrett trail to Steart Marshes. From Steart the final section along the coast path gave weary runners views of the Quantocks to the left and the Bristol Channel to the right. Jessica was supported by her Mother, Sarah, who met her at the second aid station and then again towards the end, running the last five miles with Jess. ‘It was a lovely race’, said Jess ‘understated, but one of my favourites. I was 1^st lady home and 5^th overall, completing the distance in 9 hours. I was more than an hour ahead of the next lady home’.

Antony at the Exeter Marathon

Meanwhile Antony Hall, fully recovered from his London Marathon triumph and eager to run another marathon in the heat, kept it local this weekend. He completed the Exeter Marathon in 3:21:11 and declared himself happier with his pacing, keeping a steadier rate throughout this race.

David at Clyst Hydon Huff 10k

Other club members tackled some local 10k and 5k races. David Skinner, completed the picturesque Clyst Hydon Huff 10k with over 90 other runners, enjoying the country lanes and achieving 1:21:23.

In Beer 11 SRC members took part in the hilly and hot Beer Blazer.

Suzy at Beer Blazer

The club achieved great results in the 5k with Will Ashby first in his age category, Alecia Ranson first in her category and Suzy

Rockey third lady home. Hamish Spence led the Sidmouth field in the 10k with Sarah Clapham the first Sidmouth lady runner home.

Beer Blazer 10k results:

Hamish Spence 1:02:52, Sam Ingram 1:03:00, Christopher Day-Kerry 1:05:34, Sarah Clapham 1:06:52, Karen Farnham 1:08:14, Christine Farnham 1:08:14, Amelia Frankpitt 1:21:40, Janice Ranson 1:27:57

5k Results: Suzi Rockey 29:28, Will Ashby 32:30, Alecia Ranson 33:40

Hot weather spurs on Sidmouth’s runners

The last two hot sunny weekends have seen Sidmouth’s runners out competing in force in a range of distances.

Sarah, Jess and Jo at the North Dorset Marathon

On 6 May in 25 degrees some great results were achieved by SRC women at the North Dorset Village Marathon.  Jessica Raynor was first lady in 3:28, a brilliant time on a hot and hilly course. Her mother Sarah, who was only on her second marathon ran a similar pace to seasoned marathon runner, Jo Earlam, coming in at 4:21 and 4:51 respectively. Jo’s experience showed through as she maintained a steady pace throughout. ‘I did 11 minute miles overall an a perfect split time, unlike my first marathon, London 2005, when I did the first half in 2:15 and dropped back to 2:45 in the second half, just squeezing home in under 5 hours. Despite a lack of training for Sunday, I was pleased to better that experience 13 years later’.

Ottery 10k

The following weekend the popular Ottery 10k took place with 13 runners turning out in SRC’s might green shirts with plenty of club spirit in evidence as faster runners cheered their slower team mates to the finish. Sam Ingram was SRC’s first runner home closely followed by Kyle Baker entering his first run for the club. Terry Bewes, club chairman, was particularly pleased to congratulate Claire Partridge and Emma Grainger from the 2018 beginners group for their outstanding runs.

Jodie at Bristol

Julia at Bristol

Meanwhile sweltering at another 10k in Bristol were Jodie Hawkins (a 2018 Improver) who came in under the hour and Julia Haddrell also from the 2018 beginners group.

Suzi at Exmouth

Suzy Rockey, continuing her return to form was pleased with an improved time at the Land and Sand 5k at Exmouth, despite wishing there was less sand involved.

Ottery 10k results: Sam Ingram 47:44. Kyle Baker 48:07, Tim Clay 49:28, Steve Saunders 50:02, Tim Swarbrick 51:59, Jane Hemsworth 52:14, Sarah Clapham 52:28, Jo Earlam 55:14, Simon Hollyer 56:40, John Doherty 57:22, Cheryl Boulton 1:01:34, Clare Partridge 1:12:19 Emma Grainger 1:13:56.
Bristol 10k results: Jodie Hawkins 59:40, Julia Haddrell 1:09.
Land and Sand 5k results: Suzy Rockey 28.00.

Sidmouth Runners scorch through London Marathon

Five members of Sidmouth Running Club reached the end of their long training programmes through a wet cold winter and made their way to London last weekend for one of the greatest running events in the UK.

The London Marathon was held under cloudless skies with the temperature at St James’s Park reaching 24.1C, the highest since it was first run in 1981. All 5 Sidmouth runners were amongst the 40,000 who managed to finish in challenging conditions which led race organisers to urge them not to aim for personal records in pre race briefings, and to report after the event that they had distributed around four and a half litres of water per person.

Despite the conditions the Sidmouth Runners delivered scorching runs. With separate start locations, Claire Ashby, Kerry Boyle, Antony Hall, Anne Langworthy and Nigel Maeer all set off at a good pace.

Kerry Boyle, who was raising funds for the Institute of Cancer Research in memory of a close friend, said, ‘I wanted to enjoy this race and the amazing sights of London, I knew with all the nerves and adrenaline rushing through me I could have set off too fast. So I really kept my pace steady for the first few miles. The atmosphere and emotions really hit me as I ran past the Cutty Sark and had to push back the tears as there was a long way to go!’

Antony Hall soon started to lead the field for Sidmouth with Kerry, Claire and Nigel within a few minutes of each other for much of the race, but unaware because of the number of runners. Anne Langworthy said ‘Mile 6 and with a blister on my little toe it felt like my toe was dropping off, mile 20 the blister on my right heel popped and on the final straight at 26.1 the blister on my left heel broke. It was worth every mile though!’

Antony had gone off fast and pulled the pace back a little at the halfway mark, finishing in a fantastic 3:34:10. Nigel Maeer, Claire Ashby and Kerry Boyle kept a very consistent pace in the first half, with Kerry picking up the pace at 25k and almost managing a negative split.

Kerry said, ‘I caught up with the 3hr 45min pace runners, then at around 20miles when I was starting to struggle I heard the familiar voice of Nigel saying ‘alright Kerry’? Neither of us were but we did our best to keep our chins up and keep going which felt like plodding by now! Then with 4 miles to go I had to make a decision, with my thighs burning from the heat and exhaustion do I keep pushing or do I walk? I thought of all the reasons I was doing this marathon, remembered those hard training runs past Turf locks along the Exe estuary and up on East Hill strips, the memory of my friend Rich. I just had to run my own few last miles and keep going until the end, to get that medal.’

As Kerry crossed the finish line in sub 3hr 50min she heard an exhausted Antony who was slumped on the grass call her name, and soon after Nigel appeared and then Claire. Anne came in smiling despite the pain. Claire paid tribute to the support from Sidmouth Running Club ‘A memorable day and some heroic efforts! We seriously earned our medals. It was brilliant to have so much support from the Mighty Greens’.

Antony Hall 03:34:10, Kerry Boyle 03:49:09, Nigel Maeer 03:49:40, Claire Ashby 04:20:04, Anne Langworthy 05:56:16

Sidmouth Running club members have been knocking out the distance runs over the last couple of weeks with more on the cards this weekend.

With the big club event of the year, ‘JP’s Exe to Axe’ attracting over 200 runners, this ‘brute of a race’ is one of the toughest and most picturesque running challenges of the year. Starting in Exmouth runners followed the South West coastpath eastward for 22 miles taking in Budleigh, Sidmouth, Branscombe and Beer before finally arriving at the River Axe in Seaton.

As well as spectacular scenery runners tackled 4,000ft of ascent with numerous climbs as the trail switchbacked down to sea level and then up again along clifftop tracks through fields and woodland.

The overall winner, Brennan Townshend from Climb SouthWest left race organisers speechless by predicting he would complete the challenge in 2h 45mins, and doing so with 5 seconds to spare. It is very rare for runners to predict times so accurately especially with terrain so challenging. From SRC were Jessica Raynor (3:4:21) Mark Soutar (3:53:09) Polly Walton (4:37:23) Kaylee and Lynda Hawkins (4:45:30) Jess Trim (4:50:24) and in relay Anthony Hall and Justin Ashby (3:01:48) and Sidmouth Strollers (4:59:02).

Race Organiser Paul Mitchell paid tribute to all the volunteers who helped make the event a success. ‘Well done, today we had runners from as far afield as Scotland and the Isles of Scilly. You did us proud’.

Meanwhile Charlotte and Jim Forrer took part in the Paris Marathon and ran together for most of the race, enjoying sights, crowds, food stops and water fountains (oh yes and the running!). At mile 22 Jim decided to push on and came in at 3h58m with Charlotte hot on his heels at 4h04m. ‘I enjoyed myself so much’, said Charlotte, ‘I kept high-fiving the spectators. It was a brilliant trip, highly recommended’.

Closer to home David Chipping ticked off his first marathon, the ‘local and cheap’ Taunton marathon. This run which is a two lap, mainly rural course gave David a very pleasing 3hours 49 minutes time.

Wet conditions meant that the aptly named `Honiton Hippo’, which took place on 15^th April was more than usually muddy. Six runners from Sidmouth enjoyed this popular 7 mile race organised by Honiton RC, including Mark Soutar (1h 00m) Debbie Marriott and Don Cawthera (1h26m), Jemma Wiltshire and Ruth Ray (1h36m) and Mark Souter who didn’t record a time but commented that ‘Hippo mud is extra deep!’.

With the London Marathon finally upon us, several members, including Kerry Boyle, Clare Ashby, Antony Hall and Nigel Maeer are at the end of many months of training and in peak condition for the big race. Just to make it extra challenging forecasters are predicting the hottest London Marathon on record. Good Luck Runners!

Talk about a swift half!

Last Sunday some of Sidmouth’s female runners headed to the north of the county, to Bideford for some half marathon competition. The race, which is organised by Bideford AA, attracted over 1200 runners onto a course which course takes in magnificent countryside alongside the River Torridge between Bideford and Great Torrington. The course is half on roads and half on the Tarka Trail, with a tunnel at one point. The race is moderately flat with one small hill section giving the opportunity for fast times which Sidmouth runners have enjoyed in previous years.

This year the Hawkins family from Sidmouth were out in force with Lynda Hawkins supported by daughters Kaylee and Jade. All three had good races, with Kaylee setting the pace to come in well under the 2 hour mark (1:53:12), with mum and sister following nearly 15 minutes later (2:07:25).

Janice Ranson, another Sidmouth Running Club stalwart, did the race as part of her training for a marathon in May. Janice said ‘I had a great time at the Bideford half in my Mighty Green. I’ve previously only done trail and fell running, so this was my first road race of any distance. I’d aimed for a time of 2:30 so was pleased to finish in 2:14:20’.

All the runners enjoyed the atmosphere and the layout of the route which allowed runners further back in the pack to see the front runners heading back. The fastest times were recorded by Shaun Anstell of Bideford AA (1:08:39) and Charnwood’s Katie Synge (1:22:20). ‘It was fun to see the front runners’ said Janice ‘and there were plenty of friendly supporters along the way and lots of lovely cake at the finish’.

Four Trigs Fun for Sidmouth Running Club

More photos available.

Last Sunday saw the 18^th Four Trigs challenge start with over 100 runners setting off across the seafront in sunshine. The challenge is a self navigated run to each of four triangulation points circling the Sid Valley with start and finish at the Sailing Club. This year the route was clockwise, with runners checking in first at High Peak, then making their way across Mutters Moor then down through Harpford woods before climbing to the second Trig at Fire Beacon Hill. From here the trail runs inland to White Cross then drops down into Sidbury before climbing the other side of the valley to Trig 3 at Buckton Hill. From here a dip down in Harcombe is followed by a climb up to the Donkey Sanctuary and out to Trig 4 at Weston Cliff. This is the last Trig but the final leg, physically and psychologically the hardest, is still to come. The trail dips down to Weston Mouth then up to Dunscombe Cliff, down to Salcombe mouth, up to Froggie Rock and then finally down in to Sidmouth . This tough route is around 17 miles in distance and involves over 4000ft of climb, so is not for the faint hearted.

Hosted by Sidmouth Running Club and raising funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), this friendly and sociable event attracted strong contingents from local clubs Sidmouth and Axe Vale as well as runners from Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. The event was Organised by Marion and Rob Hayman who were well supported by a team of 10 marshalls on the course and 2 counting runners back in.

Jess first woman home

The first man home was James Green from Axe Vale Club in 2 hours and 13 minutes and first lady home was Jessica Raynor from Sidmouth Running Club in a spectacular 3 hours and 2 minutes. Jess’s running has gone from strength to strength powered on by her early morning training regime, designed to fit around the demands of a young family.

Sidmouth showed real strength in depth with Mark Soutar first Sidmouth man home (2h 52m), Nigel Maer chasing Jess down closely followed by Gary Anning and Julian Bartlett. Great runs from a big Sidmouth contingent including husband and wife team Charlotte and Jim Forrer came in next in under 3h 40m, and 10 minutes later Claire Ashby came in alongside Kerry Boyle (working on her marathon training), and Claudia Barry back from London to enjoy some Devon mud. The Keasts were out in force with Nick outrunning older brother John, who had to comfort himself with a better time than daughter Ellie, for now.

In the meantime Sidmouth’s social runners also delivered solid success on the day. Lynda Hawkins, accompanied by daughter Jade, came in at 4h32m time, entertaining fellow runners by carrying, Penelope Pitstop style, a lipstick, mobile phone and usefully, a charger. The Rusty Runner contingent smiled all the way round and Janice Ranson, egged on by Terry Bewes, got over her doubts after Trig 2 and saw the race through to the finish.

Marion Hayman was pleased with how the event went. ‘Weather conditions were so variable’ said Marion, ‘we had hail one moment and sun the next, and of course plenty of mud. It was a great atmosphere with plenty of marshalls and four people in the kitchen making delicious cakes for the runners. We are so pleased we raised £1,570.25 for CRY with entry fees and donations’.

Full results can be found here.

Sidmouth Four master Fulford’s Five

Last Sunday saw four members of Sidmouth Running Club turn out for the Fulfords 5 mile race at Exmouth. It was an unusual event for the Mighty Greens as it involved no mud and running shoes remaining dry from start to finish. 

The race has been run since the mid 1980’s and is hosted by Exmouth Harriers. It is billed as one of the first road races of the year for the serious runner to get out their racing shoes, but at 5 miles long, it also as an event first time runners can take part in. 

The race starts and finishes in the market square and involves two laps of the esplanade and the town centre. Although mainly flat each lap consists of a climb up from the seafront, which is as nothing in Devon terms, but seems particularly hard in such a short race with a bit of pace.

This year saw 326 runners lining up and amongst them there was the welcome sight of Colin Flood making his return after not having raced for over a year and, as ever, finishing looking as fresh as a daisy. Graham “Rocker” Sheppard was also out, taking a break from his 4 Trigs training to break in his new running shoes in readiness for next weekend’s big event. 

‘It was a great event’ said Rob Edwards, who was impressed by the organisation provided by Exmouth Harriers, ‘if you like running, but are not too keen on mud, this is a perfect way to spend an hour or so on a Sunday morning in February’.

Results for SRC: Rob Edwards 39m35s; Graham “Rocker” Sheppard 40m00s; Jo Earlam 46m07s; Colin Flood 47m09s.