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.