Bovey Beauty

Don Cawthera and Debbie Marriott took part in the Bovey Beauty on Sunday 23rd of September. This grade ‘B’ fell race was held in conjunction with The Woodland Trust and Natural England and was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and The Moor Than Meets The Eye Landscape Partnership. It was organised by The Fell Runners Association.

The Bovey Beauty 10 mile fell race was a very scenic route, involving woodlands, open more-land, riverside paths and many other terrains. It took the runners through some of the most rugged and remote areas of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve. Starting in the woods of the Bovey Valley at 11am just as the rain stopped falling, they climbed up to Lustleigh Cleave on the first of the 1800ft of inclines. Then onto Hunters Tor at the head of the valley, returning via the rare Western Oak Woods on the southern side of the valley over Houndtor ridge and onto Trendlebere Down before returning to the start in Pullabrook Wood.

Don and Debbie knew it would be a tough run to complete. The organisers deliberately keep the number of competitors under 100 and as an elite field. So Don and Debbie were happy just to keep one or two people between us and the back marker. Both Debbie and Don enjoyed the race so much, that they are planning to go back again next year.

Solo Mighty Green Terry Takes On The Stockland Scamper.

The Stockland Scamper was organised by the Stockland Primary Academy PTFA in association with Axe Valley Runners. It was a typical Axe Valley route with plenty of up’s and down’s in very scenic East Devon countryside. During the race briefing the competitors were informed that due to the overnight heavy rainfall, that the route was very wet, so with the hilly route, it would be slippery underfoot. This turned out to be an enormous understatement!

As if the race organisers had planned it, the rain stopped falling just as the race was to start. All 90 Scampers set off from the Stockland Village Hall at 10am, on the 23rd of September to a break in the weather. The turnout of 31 seniors (including Terry Bewes), competed in the 10k along with 59 Juniors in the 3k were all sent on their way, into the muddy and wet Stockland countryside. The first lane had turned into a river overnight, the stoney tracks were like a slippery ice rinks, as were the narrow wooden bridges and styles. Even in the fields, the torrential rain had dispersed the cow pats so the whole field was covered in a slippery smelly mess, but it was great fun. The last half mile was an especially tough climb! Before this point the Scamps had been lulled into a false sense of ‘being nearly back’. This hill came just when Terry thought it should be all downhill to the finish. During this last hill climb, Terry saw one runner ahead and decided to go all out, full steam ahead! He succeeded, passed her by and lost the wooden spoon position, but restored honour to the Mighty Green. Terry’s word of the race…”Brutal”!

Terry Bewes was the only Mighty Green Scamp sliding his way to the finish line, making it round in 1:09:47 and giving him a slippery 30th place and 1st M70. No sooner had Terry and the last runner crossed the line, the rain fell again. So, with the Stockland weather report done, a special thank you goes to Emma Parris and her team and to the great number of marshals who stuck it out in the soggy conditions.

The ‘Killer’ Killerton Half, 10k and 5k.

On Sunday 16th September in the morning, four Sidmouth runners competed in The Killerton 10k race, Antony and Kat Hall having only just done the Nightjar the evening before were joined by David Skinner and Jane Hemsworth for this event.

This stunning off road, multi terrain 5k,10k, canicross and half marathon event takes place in the beautiful grounds of the National Trust estate at Killerton, also home to one of Exeter’s Park Runs. There was a good mixture of terrain on the 10k including fields, woodlands, some flat levels and a variety of hills… nearly 1000ft of inclines, keeping the route exciting and giving it the name of The Killer! With the ground still dry underfoot and a cooling but not cold breeze, conditions were perfect for the race.

Antony did remarkably well considering the previous evening’s race and the severity of this hilly route. He was very happy with taking 2nd in age group and 5th over all, with a time of 48m:59s. I think you should take the day off tomorrow Antony, have a rest.

Jane Hemsworth completed the route in an impressive 1h:04m. Kat did really well with a 1h:14m:16s especially having also run the evening before! She finished in 103rd out of 200 women. David Skinner took 1h:22m:09s and came in at the 275th position whilst wearing the competitor number 275…Spooky!

The Bacchus Wine Marathon in Surrey

The Bacchus Wine half and full marathons are combined into a sociable fancy dress and wine tasting event. Three Mighty Green/Pink Sidmouth ladies took part, Helen Palmer doing the half, whilst Jane Hemsworth and Jo Earlam took on the full marathon. Jane is celebrating a landmark Birthday soon and this is Jo’s 60th marathon, so a fifties/sixties style kit was made.

The first third of the route was tough going, so with the tight cut off time of 2 and a half hours on the full marathon Jo and Jane steered clear of the wine, or so they say! Jane suffered a fall, got stung by a feisty wasp and there were chafing issues with the modified pink kit, and all before the halfway point! With their spirits revived sting and cuts treated, Jo and Jane got on with the task of the second lap.

Meanwhile, Helen was taking full advantage of the on course entertainment with music, wine and nibbles at every water (I mean wine) stop. She also enjoyed being with the other 2000 sociable half marathoners, including Chris Evans and Vassos Alexander who were both in her wave at the start line. Jo and Jane missed out on the main party, making do with under 200 other full distance runners.

Helen completed the half in 2h:37m and enjoyed more wine and the hog roast, leaving Jo and Jane to cross the finish line in 5h:06m, coming in 95th and 96th respectively, both ladies added on the extra distance to finish the 26.2 Miles in 5h:27m.

Sidbury Fun Run

Five Mighty Green Sidmouth runners took part in The Sidbury Fun Run on Sunday. Rachel Burrows, Sarah and Michael Ginsberg, Paula and Amelie Farrand spent part of a warm, sunny Sunday morning running in and around the grounds of The Manor House. Paula and Amelie won the First Local and Open girl and lady.

A Sting In The Tale At Michelmores Charity Run.

David Skinner took part in the Michelmores Exeter 5K Charity Run on Thursday 6th of September. This annual event is now in its 18th year and the proceeds are being donated to The Amber Foundation, a charity that helps young homeless unemployed people get back on their feet.

Congestion at the start line on The Cathedral Green meant that David got off very slowly. However, he soon broke away from the ruck, progressing around the route, picking up speed and passing other competitors. Then disaster struck half way through Northernhay Gardens! David had several other runners closing in on him when a wasp flew into his air space and stung him near his right eye! The impact and reaction of the irritated insect caused David to swipe at it, knocking his glasses to the ground. He lost time here while looking for the glasses and even more time getting checked over by a first aider. Due to all this excitement, David’s time was still a respectable 33m04s coming in 727th out of 950 runners.

City To Sea Marathon 2018

On Saturday the 1st September Jo Earlam completed the City To Sea Marathon. This brings Jo’s total to 59 completed marathons and was the third time competing in this very tough competition.

This 26.6 mile marathon is deceptive in that the first section from the start line in Exwick to  Cockwood and Dawlish Warren is a flat trek along the River Exe, Exeter Canal and Exe Estuary. During section two between Cockwood and Shaldon the hills start to kick in, softening up the legs for the real work to come later. Stage three and leaving Sheldon behind is where the hard work really starts, with a steep climb up a monster hill above Ness Cove, Smugglers Cove and Labrador Bay. The undulating coastal path doesn’t let up with the pain inducing hills, as it follows the coastal route all the way to Babbacombe Downs.

Jo found section three really tough, especially the steps which are very steep and seem to go on for ever! However, she had kept something in the tank for the last six miles and with determination and grit, she still managed to pass by a lot of other runners, whilst not allowing others to pass her. Then, during the last two hundred yards just before the finish line, one runner trotted past her as if he was just starting the race! He encouraged her to sprint for the line with him. It turned out that whilst she had just completed the marathon and was on the floor, he had finished the ultra and seemed ready to go again.

Jo finished with a very good time of 5h:57m:14s, coming 90th. This was not as fast as the previous year but better than 2016. Her well earned reward for the long and arduous race was Fish and chips at Hanbury’s Fish Restaurant