The Otter Rail and River Run

Eighteen SIDMOUTH Running Club members turned out to support the 11^th year of the Otter Rail and River Run. Race organiser Jo Earlam and the Tipton Playing Field Association pulled out all the stops to put on an extremely enjoyable event.

The race starts in the playing field before crossing the road and then following the path beside the river heading towards Newton Poppleford. It then crosses the river to Harpford and into Harpford woods to the old railway bridge. At this point you climb the steps and follow the old railway track back to Tipton then onto Sargent Mill over the bridge and head off towards Fluxton, along a lane heading back towards Tipton, across a field and bridge to enter the top of the playing field and sprint to the finish. It is an undulating off-road run with plenty of challenges to overcome.

David and Sue

The club members excelled themselves this year with nine prize winners.F45 1^st Naomi Garrick, M70 1^st David Millen, F55 1^st Christine Farnham, F65 2^nd Gail Goldsmith, M60 2^nd Jon Ball, 3^rd Tim Swarbrick, M65 3^rd John Sharples, M50 3^rd Graham Hill, Senior men 3^rd Theo Burgess.

10k results. Graham Hill 9^th overall 41:22, Theo Burgess 11^th overall 42:11, Naomi Garrick 53:15, Christine Farnham 55:57, Karen Farnham 56:38, Jon Ball 56:43, Tim Swarbrick 56:57, David Millen 58:11, John Sharples 59:03, Dave Wright 1:02:00, Debbie Marriott 1:02:26, Don Cawthera 1:02:27, Gail Goldsmith 1:04:14, Milly Frankpitt 1:05:49, Richard Hedger 1:06:25, Tony Velterop 1:06:43, Jenny Bentley 1:08:25, Sue Cunningham 1:18:34.

There were 184 finishers

The Woodland Relays

It was hard to believe that two consecutive Wednesday evening running on Woodbury Common could be so extremely different weather wise. The first from Woodbury Castle was a Sidmouth club run on the hottest day of the year and the second on East Budleigh Common was the Woodland Relays in what can only be described as monsoon conditions.

The Woodland Relays are a series of races between East Devon clubs with each taking it in turn to organise a venue of their choice. This was the 23^rd race extremely well organised by Exmouth Harriers in the Wheathill Plantation over a proper cross country course in horrendous conditions.

Between them the N1 Tri Club, Sidmouth, Axe Valley, Honiton, Exmouth, the Met Office and Clyst Hydon entered 21 senior teams and 10 junior. Teams of three are divided into all male, all female, mixed and juniors with each member running the same 4k circuit. With the rain lashing down the whole time, running fast became more difficult for those running the second and third legs as the course rapidly became a quagmire.

Sidmouth Running club had five teams entered, two experienced and three first timers all with the exception of Deb Marriott joining the club in January.

The Sidmouth Green Army comprising Justin Ashby 16:24, Antony Hall 17:30 and Ben Chesters 16:42 did an excellent job finishing second overall just being pipped by the young bucks from N1 Tri.

The Sidmouth Ladies no. 1 team Kerry Boyle 20:29, Charlotte Forrer 21:18 and Els Laurays were the third ladies team to finish.

The ladies V45 team Karen Farnham 24:14, Deb Marriott 24:07 and Christine Farnham 24:51, the mixed team Christie Ward 30:06, Paul Wright 24:35 and John Sharples 24:47 and the ladies no. 2 team Jenni Yeoman 29:53, Laura Philips 27:20 and Julia Haddrell 32:42 all had their first experience of what life is like for a hippopotamus – wet and muddy.

However they all enjoyed the evening, supported each other, said it was one they would never forget and the Mighty Green was worn and the Club shown supporting another event. Well done to you all.

The Torbay Half Marathon

Sunday saw the 26^th running of the Torbay Half Marathon. The race starts on Paignton’s Eastern esplanade at the pier and is a two lap traffic free route taking in the stunning coastal views across Torbay.

Starting with one lap of Paignton Green it then head towards Torquay where the course passes the historic Torre Abbey and the Princess Gardens where you turn and head back to the finish on Paignton Seafront.

Four members of SIDMOUTH Running Club took on the challenge in ideal conditions after the recent heatwave. There was a special incentive for Beth Wells as she had been promised a Weatherspoons special meal if she did well, and she did. Being paced by Danny Painter she knocked 13 minutes off her previous time, something she is becoming quite accustomed to in each race she enters.

Tim Clay also had a target in mind, running a sub 1:50:00 but despite a superb effort he missed it by 22 seconds. Sneaking in under the radar was Susie Perry as until I checked the results I didn’t know she was running, but she too came in well under the 2 hours.

As for Danny Painter despite running with Beth he somehow returned a “did not finish” but I understand that the organisation at race HQ left a lot to be desired.

Results Tim Clay 1:50:22, Susie Perry 1:50:48, Beth Wells 2:19:49.

Danny Painter finished just behind Beth. There were 1563 finishers.

The Club extends its congratulations to Tim Mitchell who has passed the England Athletics four day Coaching course.

Latest entry into the Mighty Green on Holiday challenge comes from Anna Read in Corsica.

The club will be represented by six teams in this week Woodland Relays race.

Sidmouth Running Club Pulls Out All the Stops for Women Can Marathon

Members of Sidmouth Running Club helped organise, prepare for, marshal and participate in the recent Women Can Marathon that passed through the town. Alongside the near 20 club entrants, members took on a variety of planning, goody bag assembly, route marking, course checking, relay change-over manning, water station and marshalling roles.

Jane Hemsworth gathered prizes and goody bag contents from local businesses. Becky Robson helped sponsor the run through her Hair Temple business and did the route marking from Peak Hill to the Byes. A job not helped by race administrator Jo Earlam driving off with all the markers in her car, meaning Becky wasn’t able to complete her task until gone 10pm on the marathon eve! Jane and husband Alan helped with goody bag assembly, Alan was also marking out late on Saturday, marshalling on the Sunday and both Jane and Becky completed the full marathon, despite their training being affected by injury.

David Hedges and Bill Valentine managed the halfway relay point at Sidmouth Rugby Football Ground, assisted by rugby and fellow running club members, and were also involved in course marking out and clearance. Several other members took up marshal positions around the town, with the Sidford water station being run by Ruth Burrough and Sarah Powell. Meanwhile, David Wright and Tim Clay had an early start doing a course check at 7am.

Diane Collett, who took part in the paired relay with friend Emma Franklin, was a pivotal part of the success of the event. As a director of IP Office Limited, Diane sought the support of fellow directors for the company to become headline sponsor. As sponsors, also of Exeter City Football Club, Diane could have had a seat in the royal box at Wembley on the day of the run, but she chose to give up that opportunity to run the first half, along gruelling hills of the south west coast path. Diane and Emma completed in 5:47:20.

There were some outstanding performances on the day. Second overall was Jessica Raynor in 3:53:54 – dubbed Sidmouth’s super-mum, having given birth nine weeks earlier.

In her first ever marathon Sue Collman completed in a terrific time of 5:03:41, in 70^th place, declaring on crossing the finish line she’d never do another one, but by the following morning looking around for more events to enter!

Next in 78^th place was Carine Silver in 5:06:56, another fantastic run; and fast times on that course for 81^st Claire Ashby 5:12:35; and 88^th Lynda Hawkins 5:18:02. The rest of the Sidmouth crew put in a sterling effort. In 107^th was Becky Robson 5:31:13, recovering from injury; 108^th Abbi Lee 5:31:13, completing her first marathon; also on her first 110^th Janice Ranson 5:32:47; 127^th Helen Palmer 5:38:53; another first-timer 139^th Polly Burns 5:50:55; 145^th Jane Hemsworth 5:57:52; 146^th Jo Earlam 5:57:52; 150^th Gail Goldsmith 6:01:19, a great time for Gail and earning her 3^rd place in her age group.

The last overall finisher in the individual running category came in in 9:32:53, with 206 finishers.

Taking on the team relay for Sidmouth, finishing in a great overall time of less than 12 minute miling were Sue Cunningham, Christine Nichols, Jill Trivett and Kerry Salter – Team Rusty Legs, in cumulative time of 4:55:45, 9^th team out of 14. And to complete the Sidmouth line-up Paula Farrand was part of the Shepphard Team, 4^th team to finish in 4:38:59.

Jo Earlam, who’s idea the race was, said:

“I want to thank everyone in the Club who’s supported my dream for this event. It wouldn’t have happened without the effort that a lot of members put in, and without the personal support I’ve had at this difficult time since sadly losing my mum six weeks before the event. I’m thrilled that so many of our ladies entered, several running a marathon for the first time, and as an organising team we’ve been overwhelmed and delighted by the positive feedback. The support from the club through loan of equipment, members and their families volunteering to help, and the business support generated through the club has been crucial to the event’s success. Thank you, Sidmouth Running Club, – you are a very mighty green!”

The Umborne Ug

The Umborne Ug is a truly village event organised by Rick and Eleanor Wood of Axe Valley Runners and the Umborne Hall committee in aid of the village hall funds. It is described as a scenic multi-terrain 10k run starting and finishing at the village hall. What it fails to mention are the two monster hills en route. Eight members of Sidmouth Running Club boarded the coach for the evening start and after a somewhat rainy day, on arrival the sun came out and it turned into a lovely evening. To involve all the villagers as well as the 10k there is also a 2.5k fun run and a walking route.

Amelie

Once again it was left to our junior member to bring home the medal. Amelie Farrand entering her first race for the club in the fun run finished in 13:54 giving her 3^rd female overall and first in her age group and the big smile on her face as she finished showed there is a lot more to come from her. Big sister Ellis was entrusted with the camera to record the event.

In the 10k there was a club record to be set for this event and Rob Edwards had his eye set firmly on this. Galloping away from the rest of us at the start I was not sure whether it was to win or the delight of leaving three grandchildren at home with his wife Sue. And so he led the club members with his eye on the record until entering the home straight when the vision of the bar-b-q’s appeared before him and his mind turned to that tasty veggie burger in his hand and that lapse of concentration allowed Paula Farrand to fly pass him to set the record at 1:00:02. Rob finished in 1:00:47. Next home were those competitive identical twin sisters Christine and Karen Farnham and I still cannot tell one from the other, however on this occasion Christine finished in 1:04:11 and Karen in 1:04:16. John Doherty who only decided to enter the night before had an equally good run 1:10:28. Our two youngest competitors Beth Wells and Caroline Ball both had excellent runs. Beth who continues to improve with every race had a very even-paced run even running a good distance up the two hills and finished first in her age group while Caroline who somehow managed to talk all the way around the course took a fair amount off her previous time for this distance.

Beth 1:13:33, Caroline 1:15:16. Bringing up the rear was Terry Bewes 1:15:17 who although was the last of the club runners was first in his age group but a reality check showed he was the only one in that group.

Racing over it was now time to enjoy the delights that the organisers had provided for us. In the hall, tea, coffee and a magnificent array of cakes, a bar and outside a range of bar-b-q’s cooking, beef, pork and apple, lamb and veggie burgers and hot dogs with real butchers sausages forming an orderly queue behind Rob we soon settled down to enjoy the food and banter in the fading sunlight before boarding the coach home. A great evening out enjoyed by all.

There were 91 finishers in the 10k and 50 in the fun run.

Sidmouth Running Club

Another week and another marathon, only this time it was an Ultra. Danny Painter headed off to compete in the Dartmoor Discovery. The race organised by Teignbridge Trotters RC starts and finishes in Princetown the home of Dartmoor Prison. This is entirely an on-road race over 32 miles 674 yards with plenty of hills taking in Dartmeet, Poundsgate, Newbridge, Ashburton, Buckland in the Moor, Widecombe in the Moor and Postbridge before heading back to the start.

This was the sixth time Danny had run this race and it was not to be his best. The wheels came off for him at around mile 14 when he suffered leg spasm cramps till the finish. This left him with a decision, drop out or man up and carry on, for Danny the first was not an option so on he went to finish in 109th place in a time of 5:37:16 (17th in 4:32:42 last year). He did however take from this experience as it reminded him that every race can’t be a blinder, just be happy with your best effort. He will be back next year you can bet on it.

There were 192 finishers.