It was an early start for Sidmouth Running Club members Jo Earlam, Jane Hemsworth, Grahame and Donna Womersley-Westlake on Sunday as they headed towards Exeter Quay to take part in Winding Paths’ City to Sea marathon.

Jane and Jo pleased to have the hills behind them

Jo, running for the first time in her 100 marathon club shirt and Jane, running marathon 42, have experience of this event and knew the last 6 miles were going to be tough but even Jo thought at one point that they might not meet the 10 hour cut off time mainly due to the heat but also the demanding stretch of coast path to Babbacombe Downs.  But the Mighty Greens dug deep and even overtook some younger ladies who had run out of steam and crossed the finish line in 7:15:03. Jo’s Garmin had recorded the ascent as higher than Everest, was it overcome by the heat too? Jo said it certainly felt like climbing Everest at times just not as cold!

Birthday girl Donna with husband Grahame

Some husbands might buy their wives flowers or chocolates to celebrate a birthday not Grahame; when Donna decided a marathon would be a good way to celebrate Grahame agreed to run it with her!  Finding the long flat stretches harder than the ascents nearer the end of the run and slightly regretting a lack of training Donna persevered through the heat and humidity and with Grahame at her side crossed the finish line in 9:25:16. A very memorable birthday!

Donna cools off during the City to Sea marathon

Much closer to home four Mighty Greens took part in the Lions 10k Trail Run on Woodbury Common.  It was the first time for Ann Cole and she might have regretted asking fellow MG’s Alexa Baker, Christine and Karen Farnham for a heads up on the course because all they remembered was the countless number of hills!

In fact, the 10k is a single loop course with some fabulous trails, two stream crossings and yes, hills, but what goes up must come down!  Although the sun didn’t appear until later in the morning the heat was relentless and despite running through wooded areas it was hard going; the water station was definitely an oasis!

The Awesome Foursome not thinking about hills!

With the help of the many friendly and encouraging marshals Christine was the first SRC runner over the line in 1:08:57, followed by Karen who happily stayed upright in 1:14:45 and Alexa who surprised herself with a sprint finish overtaking two runners right before the line in 1:15:40. They all cheered Ann over the line who was very pleased just to finish never mind about her time of 1:36:33.

Last Wednesday’s club run was a very social affair starting with a warm up by Alice in the Bowd car park before splitting into different mileage groups ready for a drink and roast potatoes on return.

Alice warming up the Wednesday club runners

Run leader Sarah Watkins made the 3 mile runners earn their rewards; they were enjoying the scenic route along the river so much they didn’t realise until the end they had run 4.5 miles which was longer than the 4-5 mile group did!

Are we nearly there yet?!?

Mileage aside everyone enjoyed the Bowd Inn’s hospitality and it was a lovely end to a Summer of evening trail runs.

The 4-5 milers agreed the hill was worth the view

Mark Andow wore his Mighty Green shirt when he took part in Outeredges’ Dartmoor Crossing recently; not that you would know as his raincoat was zipped up the whole time!

The 34 mile race started at Belstone and the MG ran through a mixed bag of weather conditions to finish in Ivybridge.  Although the clear visibility and well marked out course didn’t stop him from ending up hip deep in a bog on one point-the fun part?!  Despite this Mark finished in just under 7 hours,  42^nd in a field of 112 and 7^th in his age/gender category, fantastic effort!

Mark Andow in training

This has been good preparation for Mark who is running The Templar Way on Sunday 17^th September as part of a club organised event.  Bex McDonald and chairman Terry Bewes have been busy planning the club outing which starts at Haytor and finishes 17 miles later in Teignmouth with an important low tide!

With the school summer holidays ending the running club is looking forward to welcoming old and new Juniors back to St Johns sports hall on Wednesday 13^th September 5.45-6.45pm.  The 8-11 year olds enjoy ‘Fun’demental sessions which include throwing, jumping and running in the sports hall whilst the 11+ group enjoy building their stamina and improving their technique on road and off road runs.  Please use the contact Junior Coach tab on the club’s website for more details.  www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk

Jumping Juniors

As the evenings darken the club will return to on road running starting from St Johns School on Monday 18^th September where torches and reflective gear will be necessary.  The club has enjoyed a variety of off road runs on Monday evenings thanks to John and Ben Chesters throughout the summer and they will lead monthly torch lit off road runs from October.  So if you are new to the area, looking for a new activity to get you through the darker nights or thinking of returning to running there is something for everyone at the friendly Sidmouth Running Club; just head to our website.

SRC’s Adrian Harris travelled to the Lake District to take part in the Lakeland 50 ultra marathon with a target of completing it in 15 hours.  Adrian ran through rain, hail and battled high winds over the summits although the sun did come out at times highlighting the stunning scenery of the Lake District. The Mighty Green was very pleased to finish in 12.5 hours especially as he was well ahead of his much younger friend Simon!

Adrian Harris after 12.5 hours of running!

Mighty Green Mark Andow took part in the Hope Trail 36 hour endurance event.  Mark ran the 5 mile loops throughout the day and night, taking very short power naps and trying out different ways of refuelling in preparation for a longer event later in the year!

SRC junior Amelia Womersley-Westlake kick started her summer holidays by taking part in the 5k Pretty Muddy event at Westpoint. Not only did Amelia tackle the obstacles head on enjoying the mud and rain finishing in 49 minutes, she also raised £75 for Cancer Research.  Amelia then took part in the Haldon parkrun finishing in 41.49! Despite the rain, tough terrain and hills 7 year old Amelia said this is her favourite parkrun route!

Amelia enjoying the muddy, wet obstacles

MG Claudia Barry also has fundraising on her mind with a fun day and raffle organised for Saturday 12^th August at The Guide Hut, Lawn Vista from 1-4pm.  Claudia, who first joined the club at 17, is in training for the 100k Thames Path Ultra Challenge next month to raise awareness and money for the National Brain Appeal.

Claudia Barry in training for her fundraising ultra

Cranbrook was the chosen venue for Mighty Green Derek Blackburn’s 100th parkrun as it is a favourite of his and he often volunteers there too.  In fact he wore the 30 minute pacers bib and did a great job encouraging everyone and keeping them on track.  It might have been the mention of cake that Anne, Dereks’ wife made to celebrate, that encouraged a posse of club members to join Derek on his milestone run but everyone had a great time including Kate and Hugh Jenkins running their first parkrun and Beccy Johnson and Alexa Baker who got PB’s.

Derek celebrating his 100th parkrun

As there was a 5^th Monday in July the club run became a social one.  Starting from The Bowd chairman Terry Bewes led the group on an enjoyable 4 mile loop taking in the Bulverton campsite along very overgrown narrow paths finishing back at the pub where drinks and chips were enjoyed.

Enjoying the chips inside the pub

Another reason to join this friendly, supportive, running club?!

Cooling off outside before the chips arrived

There were plenty of Mighty Greens competing in Winding Paths Exe Estuary 50K, marathon and half marathon on Sunday as Jo Earlam had chosen the event to be her 100^th marathon and they wanted to make it one to remember.

Colin leads from the start

The ultra and marathon runners set off from Dawlish Warren at 8.30 am in high spirits. Running their first ultras were Claudia Barry, Clare Luke and Donna Womersley-Westlake.

Claudia in training for 100k

Claudia, who is in training for a 100k run in September for the National Brain Appeal, ran with Jo until the ultra/marathon split while Clare and Donna had experienced ultra runner Grahame Womersley-Westlake to keep them on track.

Ultra Clare, Grahame and Donna

Out of a field of 41, Claudia was the first SRC ultra runner over the finish line in 35th place 7:32:33 with Donna, Clare and Grahame finishing well within the cut off time in 8:36:36.

Whilst waiting for the 9.45am start from Topsham, SRC half marathon runners were comparing shoe choices (trail 5-road 1) and past experiences. Louise Dalton and Becky Knapman were running light whilst Rachel Barnard, Ann Cole, Marian Johnson and Alexa Baker had running vests with everything, but the kitchen sink inside! Louise, who joined the club in March and was first female SRC runner to finish last week’s Otter Rail and River 10k, had an incredible run.

Louise and Becky are all smiles

The MG finished in 12^th place out of a field of 109 in 1:54:57 and, like last week, was 2^nd female to finish and was very pleased with how her run went. Becky was also very pleased with how her second half marathon went finishing in 2:08:49 despite the brutal hill at the end!

Rachel and Alexa leaving Exmouth behind

Rachel and Alexa ran the City to Sea marathon with Jo last year but were very happy with their decision to run the half this time and finished in 2:48:42 whilst Ann and Marion, both their second half marathons, finished in the rain in 3:24:04 and 3:26:31 respectively.

Ann and Marion on the Goat Path

Hot on his success at last week’s Otter Rail and River 10k Colin Ryan had an amazing marathon run, his first in 15 years.  The Mighty Green overtook the ‘steadier’ SRC half marathon runners at Sandy Bay and although they knew not many marathon runners had gone past them Colin didn’t and was very surprised to learn he crossed the finish line in 4^th place, 2^nd male overall in 3:56:22.

A very happy Colin

Social secretary Naomi Garrick ran the marathon with balloons tied onto her and with Richard King, paved the way for Jo and MG’s Becky Robson, Jane Hemsworth and Sarah Watkins. There was no doubt that everyone knew Jo was running her 100^th marathon especially as her race number was 100 too!

Naomi and Richard in Topsham

Becky, who has only just started running again after a six year break, was delighted to be able to run alongside Jo on her 100^th marathon as was Sarah who has run several marathons with Jo. Jane and Jo have run over 20 marathons together and at the finish line Jane presented Jo with a trophy to mark the momentous occasion. Naomi and Richard finished in 6:06:57 with Jo’s gang finishing in 6:22:59.

Jane presenting Jo with a trophy

There was great support along the way from Mighty Greens Helen and David Palmer who cycled ahead of Jo to cheer her on and take photos; Liz Wright, Jim Hudson and granddaughter came to see the half marathon runners off and cheer the marathon runners through Topsham and Emma Grainger was spotted in Exmouth. The SRC posse joined members of Jo’s family and friends at Budleigh Salterton to cheer Jo over the finish line where the inclement weather did not dampen her amazing achievement and she soon changed into her 100 marathon club t-shirt and proudly wore her huge 100 marathon medal. A Mighty Green indeed!

Jo was cheered in by family and friends

There was a sea of green at Saturday’s Otter Rail and River 10k when nearly 50 adult and Junior members of Sidmouth Running Club took part and even the rain part way through didn’t dampen their MG spirit.

The Junior warm up

Juniors Dominic, John, Marcus and Amelia represented the club as they lined up at 10.30am to start the mile long Jackie Box fun run.  It didn’t take them long; the adults were soon cheering them over the line before their 10.40am group photo!  All the runners received a medal and a jelly snake which Amelia for one enjoyed.

Our Mighty Green Juniors

Following the adult team photo, which almost everyone was in, a hearty ‘Happy Birthday’ was sung to MG Marion Johnson who was celebrating her 75^th birthday by running the race with some of her family!

Birthday girl Marion and her family

The event raises much needed funds for Tiptons’ community owned playing field which is where the start/finish was. The route is through the beautiful Otter Valley following the river to Harpford, through the woods along the old railway line to Tipton and a loop back around to the finish line.  Despite the rain earlier in the week the ground was very hard, rutty and stony in places which made for tricky running. This did not hinder Colin Ryan, first MG over the finish line, 27^th out of a field of 233, in 46:35, 1^st MV60. SRC’s website officer, Rob Edwards was 1st MV70 in 58.32 and Junior leader Catherine Hilton was 1^st local lady home (not for the first time!) in 55.26.  They were presented with a trophy and all finishers received a bottle of Otter Ale.

Colin Ryan leading the way for SRC

There were several members wearing their Mighty Green shirts at an event for the first time including Jack Crathern, Georgie Lamprill, Alice Gill, Haiden Clapp and the dynamic trio Lucia Hofstetter, Grace and Hannah Wightman.  These ladies joined the beginners’ course in January and set themselves the target to run this 10k event, which they did confidently, with smiles on their faces and with their families cheering them on.  They are great club ambassadors.

10k done! Hannah, Lucia and Grace celebrate

Special mentions must go to MG David Wright for running it twice (once to check the course was clear), club chairman Terry Bewes for liaising with Race Director Jemma Wiltshire and setting up the start/finish line, Jemma and her team for organising this popular local event, press officer Alexa Baker for leading the junior and adult warm ups and the runners who came to the aid of a MG that took a tumble.

Terry overseeing the start

Race results: Colin Ryan 46:35; Louise Dalton 48:28; Tom Knight 48:46; Colin L’Anson 50:36; David King 52:24; Amanda Stokes 53:33; Suzi Rockey 53:54; Ed Brougham 54:18; Becky Knapman 54:34; Richard King 55:24; Catherine Hilton 55:26; Shaun Tipton 55:57; Yasmin Salter 57:08; Katy Cartwright 57:53; Tim Swarbrick 57:58; Rob Edwards 58:32; Christine Farnham 58:32; Naomi Garrick 59:39; Cheryl Boulton 59:46; Charlie Fawell 60:19; Brigid McEleney-Smith 63:02; Sarah Clapham 66:04; Alice Gill 66:25; David Wright 69:43; Haiden Clapp 69:49; Grace Wightman 69:48; Jo Earlam 70:38; Leeann Thomson 70:57; Jack Crathern 72:14; Georgie Lamprill 72:15; Carol McManus 74:30; Jim Hudson 74:31;  Liz Wright 74:32; Nikita Kay 75:01; Marion Johnson 79:08; Ann Cole 79:10; Tracy Scannell 81:30; Lucia Hofstetter 81:48; Emma Grainger 82:30; Hannah Wightman 82:34; Alison Long 82:53; Alexa Baker 82:53; Doreth Lawrence 85:09; Judith Jeeves 85:10.

Have you ever wondered why Sidmouth Running Club call themselves the Mighty Greens?  There has been some good examples recently from members pushing themselves out of their comfort zones, injured members coming out to support fellow runners, members flying the Sidmouth flag and club runners supporting each other.

Adrian ‘Gripper’ Horne and son Ollie Goodchild-Horne headed up to Belvoir Castle near Grantham to join the ‘Son’s of Mudarchy’ OCR (obstacle course race) team. They were taking part in Europe’s Toughest Mudder, a 12 hour race throughout the night where they keep adding in different obstacles as you try and complete as many laps as you can.

Gripper before injury

Almost all the obstacles require team work to get over them as they are very big and very hard some involve barbed wire, water and pitch black tunnels with menthol pumped through them!  Unfortunately, during the first lap going through a smelly lake Gripper felt a niggle in his arm.  This did not deter the Mighty Green and showing MG grit and determination he continued with Ollie’s help to get under and over the obstacles despite his bicep becoming more and more painful. They carried on to complete 3 laps and it was only then that they realised the extent of the injury, a torn bicep, and wisely decided to call it a night.

OUCH!

SRC’s Hannah Maslen showed her Mighty Green spirit as she completed her first 100k (64 mile) event.  Hannah has been fitting in early morning training runs and cross fit sessions to prepare for the Salomon Serpent Trail event.  With her family supporting her all the way, Hannah crossed the finish line with her children having run for over 17 hours.  Well done Hannah what a great achievement.

Hannah crossing the line with her family

Wearing his Mighty Green shirt Neville Hylton took part in his first parkrun in about 13 years at Norman Park, Bromley.  About ¾ of the way around and feeling he’d gone off too fast, he asked a nearby runner is it 2 or 3 laps?  Luckily, he replied 2 then on noticing his MG shirt asked is it flat in Sidmouth, as he was from Torbay.  They chatted for a while before he said don’t let me hold you back so Neville pressed on. At the finish the man commended Neville on his effort and it was then, face to face that Neville thought he recognised him from work so asked did we used to work together as you look familiar?  It turned out to be Olympian javelin thrower, Steve Backley OBE! It goes to show wearing the MG shirt certainly gets a conversation started!

Steve Backley OBE and our very own Neville

LME’s Balmy Bicton 10k took place on Sunday and the Mighty Green spirit was out in force there too.

Balmy Bicton 10k

Pete Norman turned up wearing his MG shirt despite being unable to participate due to injury to cheer on his fellow runners and take photos.

A True MG Pete Norman

MG Becky Proctor and her children were very encouraging to the runners whilst out for a bike ride on the common. SRC’s Grahame Womersley-Westlake had a fantastic race finishing 16^th overall out of a field of 71, his highest ever placing. When Clive Gilbert finished not far behind Grahame they both decided, in true MG spirit, to run back to Donna Womersley-Westlake and Clare Luke to encourage them over the finish line. (It nearly didn’t happen as they took a wrong turn but found them in the end!)

Grahame and Clive bringing the girls home

Organiser Lizzie Mayne was donating a percentage of the entry fee to Mill Water School where the race started and finished from and the school had a team running in the event too.  This included two Mighty Greens Beccy Johnson and Kathy Jordan who swapped their MG shirts for blue ones.  Many members of SRC have donated to their Just Giving page showing their support to Beccy and Kathy and the school whilst Alexa, Donna and Clare showed their support another way-buying cakes from the PTA stall at the end! A big thank you must go to Lizzie and her team, everyone is so friendly and encouraging and the new route this year was great.

Cake anyone?!?

There will be more Mighty Green spirit on display next week when Lucia Hofstetter, Grace and Hannah Wightman line up for The Otter Rail and River 10k, their first race and longest distance since they joined the beginner’s course in January.  You can be sure that all the club runners will be supporting and cheering them on.  Good luck ladies.

Balmy Bicton 10k Results: Grahame Womersley-Westlake 50:53, Clive Gilbert 53:11, Beccy Johnson 1:02:56, Alexa Baker 1:05:16, Kathy Jordan 1:08:35, Donna Womersley Westlake and Clare Luke 1:16:33

Mother and daughter Sarah and Jess Watkins went on the hunt for the Pirate King of Torbay last Sunday when they took part in Climb South Wests’ Shiver Me Timbers 10 mile trail event.  There wasn’t any shivering though as the day got progressively hotter by the hour, but this did not stop Mighty Green Jess storming home in 1:28:31, finishing first woman and third overall. The scenic route follows the coast path in Torbay and although fancy dress is encouraged Sarah who finished in 2:31:43 stuck to her MG shirt!

Jess and Sarah Watkins

Sidmouth Running Club Junior Amelia Womersley  really entered into the spirit of the 1 mile pirate hunt around Goodrington.  Wearing a pirate hat Amelia found the pirate with the gold coins and ran back to claim her booty at the end.  Amelia, who finished in just under 12 minutes said she loved all the pirate costumes and had a lot of fun.

Amelia Womersley

Sidmouth Running Club’s Clare Luke and Donna Womersley-Westlake swapped their Mighty Green club shirts for blue ones when they ran in the Great West Run last week.

Clare, Sue, Sarah and Donna before the start

They were part of the Sidmouth Hospice at Home team raising vital funds for their 24/7 specialist palliative care hospice at home service. The ladies enjoyed every minute of the half marathon and finished in 2:48:38 and raised over £200.

Sprint finish

Also running through the streets of Exeter in the glorious sunshine wearing his new MG top was Tom Knight who had a cracking run finishing in 1:38:48, 48^th out of 1,723 runners!

It was a PB for MG Yasmin Salter who rang the bell at the end to celebrate finishing in 2:03:45 and Ollie Goodchild-Horne wasn’t far behind in 2:12:54.

Yasmin rings the bell

Running together and enjoying the supportive crowds along the length of the route Sue Collman and Sarah Clapham finished in 2:30:08, which they were very pleased with as it was very hot!

Flying through the finish line

Sidmouth Running Club Treasurer Tim Clay handed over a cheque for £250 to Christie Burton from the South West Coast Path Association from the proceeds raised from the Sidmouth Celebrates weekend of events.  Donations of £100 to the RNLI via Axe Yacht Club and £100 to Exmouth Beach rescue for the use of their premises where also distributed.

Treasure Tim Clay