Four Trigs raises funds to support CRY heart charity. Another amazing day for all involved in the 16th, Four Trigs Challenge.

After a very wet and blustery Saturday, the day before the Four Trigs race, we were granted a dry, although windy, window on Sunday 7th February. The runners left in sunshine and nearly all competitors had returned before the rain came in by late afternoon. The runners enjoyed themselves, most managing to smile at the end of this challenging task. It was particularly difficult this year, due to all the rain prior to the event and this made the course very muddy and slippery.

The runners had to visit each trig point at High Peak, Beacon Hill, Buckton Hill and Western Cliff with many other hills and valleys in between. This gruelling 16 mile race has a massive 3,200 feet of climb. Many runners chose to run around in small groups making it a sociable affair and they all finished in very high spirits talking and laughing as though they’ve been for a stroll across the seafront. After the race many of the competitors sat in the Port Royal Club reliving the race and enjoying their well-deserved Haymans’ pasty. Some competitors also took advantage of and indulged in a free massage, organized by Terry Bewes, and provided by Exeter Physio. Tea, coffee and cakes were also available for those that wanted to stay that little bit longer.

Over the years this event has made charity donations of over £7,000. This year all proceeds will be going to the charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young. Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) was founded just over 20 years ago in 1995 and has become a leading national charity, striving to prevent young sudden cardiac death (yscd) through awareness, screening and research. CRY also provides a “bespoke” bereavement support programme for families and partners who have been tragically affected by the sudden death of a young person.

Every week in the UK at least 12 apparently ‘fit and healthy’ young people (aged 35 and under) die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. That’s 600 deaths a year and this is likely to be a conservative estimate. In 80% of these cases, there will have been no signs or symptoms, which is why CRY believes that proactive cardiac screening is so vitally important. As such, CRY now screens over 20,000 young people (aged between 14-35) every year. This pioneering programme involves a simple, non-invasive electrocardiogram (ECG) that looks at the electrical activity of the heart. If necessary CRY will also perform an echocardiogram, an ultrasound scan of the heart.

The charity raises awareness of the risk of undetected cardiac conditions in young people. We owe it to our children to be aware. All the proceeds from the run will go towards the £3,500 needed for a screening unit. Our aim is to have a mobile CRY screening team to our local area in the near future.

By supporting CRY you will help save young lives from these potentially fatal cardiac conditions. For further information please visit www.c-r-y.org.uk or www.testmyheart.org

This year’s race was won by Tim Lenton, who has won the race previously, and managed the challenge in 2 hours 24 minutes. Justin Ashby achieved second place with a time of 2.29. Third place went to Patrick Devine-Wright achieving 2.32 and fourth place went to Matthew Bellamy coming in at 2.39.

The first woman home was Jessica Raynor who came in at 21st position with the time of three hours six minutes.

John Keast and Ian Voce have retained their record of having successfully completed every Trig race: 16 in total. Congratulations must go to John, Cathy and Ellie Keast who took part in the Four Trigs Challenge making this a family affair. John and Ellie ran together, (father and daughter) completing the challenge in three hours 55 minutes.

Towards the back of the field, real stalwarts, were Helen Palmer, Monica Read, Sarah Watkins, Terry Bewes, Ian Voce, David Palmer, Roy Couzens, Mandy Burroughs, Cathy Keast, and Debbie Marriot who all finished around the five hour mark, give or take five or 10 minutes. Again this year we had a few veteran walkers and special mention must be made to Arthur Vince, Stuart Bondi (Rambo) and Joy Couzens who took over seven hours to complete the challenge.

Finally and by no means least a huge thank you to all the helpers (the marshals and the tea ladies) who made the day go so fantastically well. I would also like to thank Nick Keast for all his support in helping Robert and I with the organization of the event. His knowledge and experience have been invaluable. In particular, thanks must go to Stewart Hayman for his continued support providing pasties to all competitors and to Keith Poulter for allowing access to Buckton Hill Trig Point. Thanks must also go to Exeter Physio for giving up their time to provide a free massage for the runners and a big thank you to Chris Woodcock our stalwart photographer.

Marion Hayman

Race Information & Sign up form    ||    Practice Agenda    ||   Race results