First sighting of the new Mighty Green vest in action. Catherine Hilton cross country skiing, Dobbiaco, Italy.
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SW Vets X-C
South West Vets Cross Country Championships – report by David Millen, photo – Kit Woodcock
Five members of Sidmouth Running Club took part in the South West Veterans Cross Country Championships held at Sidford on Sunday 28th January. The race, which was hotly contested by a strong field of 50 runners all aged over 35, was over a 6km course comprising 3.5 laps around the rugby field, football fields, alongside the river and through a small section of woodland. With the recent rains parts of the course were very muddy, as befits a cross country course, with a number of twists and turns.
The start
First Sidmouth runner to finish was Naomi Garrick in a time of 32:39. Naomi was closely followed by Rob Edwards in 33.04. Next to cross the line for Sidmouth was Christine Farnham who picked up the prize for third lady in her age category finishing in a time of 35:00. Completing the Sidmouth contingent were David Millen in 35:39 and Karen Farnham in 35:48.
Blackdown Beast
The Blackdown Beast
Fourteen members of the club, missing from the team photo are Janice and Julian, who else? Who arrived late, as usual, and were queuing for the toilet, took on the 17 plus mile Beast over the Blackdown Hills on a misty and drizzly day.
This was the 5th year for Helen and Terry and what a Mighty mud extravaganza it was, a real mud fest, of the 17 miles 13 of them were in mud and slurry. Janice who was still suffering from a night out was confused thinking she was running the Beauty as she turned up wearing just her new racing back vest and was duly sent back to her car to put on another layer. She did however manage to stay on her feet this time which is more than I did. However I did come to her rescue later in the run when her hair got tangled up in some brambles, and being a true gentleman I did not take a photo but untangled her, then I thought I should have taken a photo first.
Beast virgins Anna Read, Sam Ingram, Danny Painter, Cath Miller, Julian Bartlett and Janice all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the craic with the other 200 runners. Cathy’s Delia, the pasty and mulled cider at Smeatharpe kept us going and we all enjoyed the hospitality of the Luppit Inn this time taking over the lounge.
Although great fun and full of laughter it was exhausting keeping on pulling your feet out of the mud so we were all pleased to finish. Don thought it a good time to try out this new recovery routine he had read about 4 pints followed by a rum and black and a cup of tea. By the look of him I am sticking to my protein recovery shake and a banana.
Brilliant job by Roger Saunders and all his helpers from Honiton R.C. Thank you. Look out for the Blackdown Beauty July 14 and enjoy the famous cream tea.
4 Trigs Training
Trigs Training underway at Sidmouth Running Club
With the 4 Trigs event reaching its eighteenth birthday next month members of Sidmouth Running Club have been out training to ensure they can celebrate in style with good runs on the day. Describing itself as a ‘low-key’ off-road running event the challenge on 11th February is anything but low key as it covers a distance of approximately 28km with hundreds of metres of climb. Runners have to visit each of the four Triangulation Pillars around the Sid Valley choosing their own routes, but ensuring they visit each Trig Point in the prescribed order. Local knowledge of footpaths and trails is a distinct advantage so the three training runs organised by members of Sidmouth Running Club have been well supported.
The first two training runs covered trig 1 (High Peak) and trig 2 (Fire Beacon Hill). Last Sunday 14 plucky runners set out in the rain to run the last two trigs, Buckton Hill and Weston Trig, starting and finishing at the Sailing Club. ‘It was 11 miles in the drizzle and mostly mud, mud glorious mud’ said Terry Bewes. ‘That is the most mud I have seen on that route and we all enjoyed watching Janice Ranson throwing some shapes on the muddy path down from Buckton Trig trying to stay on her feet and mountaineering up the short cut through the woods on Harcombe Hill’. ‘I finished in a flip flop because my trainers delaminated’ said stoical Cathy Keast, who at one stage was so focused with her head down climbing out of a valley that she nearly collided with a soggy pony sheltering by a hedge. ‘I’m not sure which of us was more surprised’. Fellow runners slithered their way up and down the coastal footpath getting plastered in mud in the process and all declaring themselves happy to reach the end. ‘It was a tough training run, but we’re all well prepared now’ said Club Chairman Terry Bewes.
The event on 11th February will be hosted by Sidmouth Running Club and organisers Rob and Marion Hayman hope to attract around 120 entrants. All profits will go to the charity CRY(Cardiac Risk in the Young). ‘Last year we raised a total of £1,350 for CRY and Sidmouth held its first screening in June’ said Marion. ‘The event is a great way to raise funds and awareness of this charity which aims to prevent young sudden cardiac death (YSCD) through awareness, screening and research’. Find more details and entry forms at www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk
Devon X-Country
Sidmouth show of strength at the Devon Schools’ Cross Country
Some of the town’s younger runners, including some from the junior section of Sidmouth Running Club, were in action at the Devon Schools’ Cross Country event last Saturday at an exceptionally muddy Stover School. Brilliantly organised, the course was set-up to provide race distances ranging from 2.2 km to 6.5 km. The course map included a lap of what was affectionately titled ‘Torture Field’ where the energy-sapping mud was arguably at its worst!
To even make it to the start line the athletes had already come through two rounds of selection; firstly at Bicton for East Devon then at Blundells for the joint Exeter and East Devon team. All the runners did the town proud in very difficult conditions.
From the Running Club, Joe Ashby, Josh Miller, Kate Marriott, Toby Garrick, Will Ashby and Tommy Reardon swapped green vests for blue to take on the challenge. This was ‘proper’ cross country with all runners having to run laps of a brutal course which started very muddy and quickly deteriorated through the day! All runners can be extremely proud of themselves for digging deep and producing inspiring performances. Excellent Sidmouth performances were delivered by Tara Darlami (Minor Girls), Kate Marriott (Inter Girls), Joe Ashby and Ollie Beech (Junior Boys), Josh Miller and Will Bond (Inter Boys), Rory Morgan and Will Ashby (Senior Boys). Particular congratulations were due to Josh Miller (9th) and Toby Garrick who had a storming run to make it onto the podium in 3rd position. Both have qualified for the next round – the South West Championships.
Justin Ashby, a coach with Sidmouth Running Club said, ‘With talented runners such as these, the future is bright for Sidmouth Running Club. Ben Chesters and I look forward to nurturing the talent in our Wednesday night intervals session at the club!’
New Year Courses
New Year Courses Off to a Good Start at Sidmouth Running Club
Sidmouth Running Club members have welcomed over 50 new recruits to the 2018 New Year Beginners and Improvers Courses. Enrolment and a warm welcome from the club Chairman, Terry Bewes, took place on the first two Wednesday club nights of 2018 and the new groups were soon up and running with experienced Run Leaders to help them along the way.
Helen Palmer and Colin Flood guided the beginners through a run/walk combination around town which soon put nervous starters at ease. Clare Partridge who lives in Exeter and is moving to Sidmouth shortly, joined the course to increase fitness, but also to meet some new people. ‘Before my first week in the beginners group, I was a little apprehensive about being able to keep up with the group. My fears were unfounded as, right from the start I was made to feel very welcome and the coaches put my mind at rest by explaining the course and its aims. The first two weeks have been great, the running has been fun, I’ve met some nice people and I’ve even started to do some extra runs at weekends’.
Another beginner, Kath Giles, agrees and has had her appetite whetted. ‘So far I’m loving it! They are a great friendly bunch, and the leaders are positive positive positive! I’d love to run a proper race (to get a medal) and get up the side of Salcombe Hill in the summer. Watch this space….’. Harri Pollard, mum of 2, moved to Sidmouth in 2016 after many years overseas. This is her second go at the Beginners course as last year, she reflects, ‘life just kept getting in the way’. This year she is determined to make it a priority. ‘I think I might actually really like running and the first few weeks have been reasonably easy. The run leaders definitely ease you in gently – I love the idea of running a little, walking a little, it makes that first bit of exercise after being very sedentary much easier to manage – I only ached a little bit after the first few sessions!’
New for 2018, the Improvers course is led by Tim Mitchell, who has been impressed by the enthusiasm of the new group. ‘We have quite a range of abilities’ said Tim, ‘but we always ensure that faster runners loop back at check points so that everyone gets to run at their own pace’. Rachel Searle, 19, was given the course as a Christmas present by her Godmother. ‘I wanted to join to improve my general fitness but I was worried that I would feel embarrassed. I’ve been to 2 sessions now and I am really happy running with the improvers group. There are a big range of people with different abilities and the run leaders know how to include everyone while keeping the group challenging. I look forward to getting to know the other runners throughout the course’.
Emma Grainger, 64, from Ottery claims not to like running and says she is ‘past her best’ but nonetheless runs regularly with friends, enters a couple of races every year and thinks a regular course will help with training. With several veteran Club members achieving Personal Bests last year, she may yet surprise herself!
Beginners/Improvers
The runners in this year’s course for Beginners(upper) and Improvers(lower).
SW X-C Champs
Toby at the South West X-Country Championships
On Sunday 8th January I took part in the South West Cross Country Championships taking place in Aldon Park, Yeovil. This competition consists of teams of the best eight runners from each county including Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire and Avon. The course was a typical cross country course with hills, mud, wind and for once sunshine! The temperature felt a mere 3 degrees as every spectator was wrapped in an uncountable amount of layers.
On Sunday 8th January I took part in the South West Cross Country Championships taking place in Aldon Park, Yeovil. This competition consists of teams of the best eight runners from each county including Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire and Avon. The course was a typical cross country course with hills, mud, wind and for once sunshine! The temperature felt a mere 3 degrees as every spectator was wrapped in an uncountable amount of layers.
The Devon Team
My race commenced at 13:55 so after a thorough warm up to get a slight feeling in my toes I was ready to race. The gun goes and it’s a sprint to see who can take the lead of the hungry pack charging behind them. A 500m straight is what we face with a sharp right turn into a fierce headwind. Constant to and fro between race positions kept all on their toes, prepared for an early surge form the leaders at any time. As the mud got thinner and wind reduced, everyone knew what was coming: The hill! The thoughts are ticking ‘do I attack up it?’ ‘do I save energy and cruise, but loose some race places?’ it’s a risk but you’ve got to decide in that split-second. Now onto me. I attacked that hill, surging up it taking 2, 3, 4, 5 places from an average 20th place of a field of 50 moving to a more promising 15th.
The second lap provided pain and a lot of mental strain. It was now turning into a mental test rather than physical. Keep your legs moving, stay with the runner in front of you, and don’t get overtaken. Simple right? I wish. My race tactic changed, I was determined to move up the field to put me in the best position in preparation for the hill. Attacking down steep inclines and gaining momentum I was moving nicely with less pain than before, I had never been this high up in a race as prestigious as this so was out of my comfort zone. Adrenaline kicked in at the right time, fuelling me up the hill taking over three runners. I now knew I was at least 3rd in my team, far better than the expectations I gave myself prior to the event. All I had to do now was secure this place and stay strong, digging deep and keeping technique sound, for the final 200 metres. One competitor rushed by me, sprinting at an unimaginable speed to contrast my race tactics of give all in the race, cruise the end but just hold my place. At this point I had nothing left and was fearing the worst, dreading who else could muster up that final kick to overtake me. Luckily before I knew it I was over the line and was immediately handed a letter with the title ‘London Marathon 2018’.
I am delighted to say I finished 8th in the South West by far my highest achievement, 2nd in the Devon team and am now a reserve for The London Mini Marathon in May 2018, something I could never have imagined even being close to.
Run Yourself Fit
Run Yourself Fit
Sidmouth Running Club will once again be offering its popular New Year Beginners course in 2018.
The course, which promises to be a gentle eight week programme for anyone who has never run before but wants have a go, will start on Wednesday 3rd January at 7pm at Sidmouth Sailing Club. Experienced coaches and run leaders provide a friendly, relaxed and supportive atmosphere which takes beginners groups through a programme that starts with a mixture of running and walking and aims to have everyone comfortably running 3 miles by the end of the course.
In 2017 over 40 enthusiastic but nervous beginners set out on their journey to running fitness. ‘It was a fantastic take up of our invitation to Beginners’ said Club Chairman Terry Bewes, ‘and we had an incredible response by club members and run leaders who were so pleased to welcome new people along’. Because the club has invested in training programmes for coaches and run leaders there are plenty of able male and female leaders keen to provide help under the guidance of Head Coach Tim Mitchell.
Many of the 2017 Beginners went on to further challenges during the year. Lara Millmow and her daughter completed the course and then, bitten by the running bug, completed 5k Park Runs in July and September. ‘There couldn’t have been a better way to improve my fitness and health and it was just what I needed after the Christmas season’ said Lara. ‘I didn’t think I was a runner but it’s part of my life now. One of the things I like most about the Club is that we have all ages and abilities’. Julia Haddrell hadn’t run since her school days but found running with others made it easy. ‘I have lost lots of weight, feel fantastic and have completed nearly 30 park runs this year. I inspired my daughter to run and celebrated being 60 by doing a 5k in just over 30 minutes!’ David Skinner joined the Club at 70 and has found the social running and friendly hints and tips invaluable to his improving fitness. He was delighted to achieve his 5k target time just before Christmas.
Also on offer for 2018 will be an Improvers Course. Following an eight week programme, this course is aimed at anyone who has run before but needs an incentive to get going again, or solo runners who would like to progress with a group. ‘We are a very friendly club and it’s amazing how quickly the miles are covered if you’re chatting’ said run leader Claire Ashby. ‘And the great thing about running in a group is that everyone knows a different route so as well as Club nights around town we cover a huge variety of trails in this beautiful countryside’. The Improvers Course also starts on Wednesday 3rd January at 7pm, at Sidmouth Sailing Club.
Both courses cost £20 which includes Club membership for 2018. Anyone who is interested in finding out more is invited to contact Terry Bewes on 07734 581782 or via email terry@zakia.co.uk. More information on the club can be found at www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk or on our facebook page.
Reindeer Run 2017
Otterton Reindeer Run is a Family Affair
Last Saturday saw more than 450 runners gather in Otterton for the village’s annual charity Reindeer Run. Runners aged from three to 73 donned festive outfits and set out from the churchyard for some seasonal outdoor fun. The 3k fun run is a family favourite for younger runners whilst the 10k multi terrain run takes in the stunning scenery of the Otter Valley including some tricky hills and beautiful banks of the River Otter.
Further photos can be found at http://www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk/2017/12/05/reindeer-run-2/
This event has been going for just over 10 years and is a popular start to the festive season for local runners. 19 seniors and 4 juniors from the Sidmouth Running Club dusted off their antlers and got their bells jingling in a good humoured race round the valley.
Father and daughter duo David and Katie Wright were all smiles as they ran the 10k together, while Janice and Alecia Ranson had excellent runs in the 10k and 3k respectively. Grandmother and Sidmouth Running Club stalwart, Sarah Watkins couldn’t have looked happier completing the fun run with her grandchildren Zach and India Raynor.
Meanwhile an epic ‘catch the twin’ pursuit was underway as Debbie Marriott and Cathy Keast set their sights on njppy duo Christine and Karen Farnham. All four charged home in well under the hour with Deb first lady home from Sidmouth Running Club knocking nearly seven minutes off her 2016 time. ’The photos look like I was strolling along, but I remember it being much pacier than that’ grinned jubilant Deb.
The Reindeer Run is the principle fundraising event for the local school, Otterton Church of England School and is supported by local businesses with many volunteers acting as race marshalls and serving post race food and drink to muddy runners. The run raised around £3,000 for school projects.
All runners enjoyed the atmosphere as they finished on the village green and were rewarded with commemorative mugs and mulled wine in the village hall.
Sidmouth Running Club welcomes new members and is currently finalising details of its Beginners Course which will start in the New Year. www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk
Reindeer results:
Ladies: Deb Marriott 55:46 22nd o/all, Christine Farnham 56:09, Cathy Keast 56:11, Karen Farnham 56:12, Jane Hemsworth 56:17, Janice Ranson 58:59, Jo Earlam 1:01:02, Freddie the dog same time first dog to finish, Katie Wright (Junior)1:07:09, Els Laureys 1:10:33.
135 women finished.
Men: Danny Painter 44:27 27th o/all, John Keast 47:25, Alan Colwell 49:55, Rocker Shepard 53:42, Simon Hollyer 54:32, Don Cawthera 57:45, Jon Ball 57:48,Terry Bewes 59:47, Paul Wright 1:02:44, David Wright 1:07:11, John Sharples 1:08:5.
92 men finished
Fun Run: Alecia Ranson 19:06 10th o/all, Zach Raynor 28:29, India Raynor 30:17