Junior and Adult Mighty Greens Support Ottery 10k and Fun Run

There was excitement and anticipation in the air as Sidmouth Running club gathered by the Mighty Green flag on Sunday morning at Ottery Cricket Club. Honiton Running Club’s Ottery 10k and fun run meant that the whole of the club could be represented and there were 16 juniors and 19 adults raring to go. The juniors were much more enthusiastic with the group warm up because the sun appeared through the clouds and the 10k runners were quickly removing layers, finding hats and applying sun cream-it was going to be a hot one!

Mighty Greens Team Photo

Having encouraged the adults on their way the junior lined up for the start of the mile fun run. Cheered on by junior head coach Kerry Boyle, family and friends, the junior Mighty Greens did their club proud with seven finishing in the top ten. Isaac Corfield came in first, Dom Hall second, Barney Baxter third closely followed by Ella Bond, first girl in fourth place. Seth Lancaster, Arden Chipping and Flynn Lancaster weren’t far behind finishing 6^th, 8^th and 9^th respectively. A huge well done to them and to Hamish Bishop, Marcus Wieffer, Ellie Jamani, Ella Chipping, Amalie Baxter, John Dunsford, Louis Bridges-Galvez, Jessica and Jasmine Thomson who all ran well and for some of them it was their first event representing the club.

Isaac Corfield coming in first

The mainly flat 10k route took the runners past Otter Nurseries, a loop around Taleford, two visits to Patteson’s Cross, Fairmile, Cadhay Barton and Kings School before finishing back at the cricket club. The highlight for many of the runners alongside the friendly marshals was the kind gentleman two thirds of the way round who had his hosepipe out spraying them as they ran past. It was much appreciated!

Sam Ingram first Mighty Green

Sam Ingram was the first Mighty Green over the line in 49:37, with Clive Gilbert hot on his heels in 50:01. Naomi Garrick sporting her fundraising Dalmatian costume became a hot dog but said it was all worthwhile thanks to everyone who donated money into her dog bowl before and after the race. The club’s social secretary raised £62 for animals in Ukraine.

The Cricket Club was the perfect location to spread out in the sun, cheer the runners over the line, relax and enjoy the refreshments. What more could you ask for!

Results: Yasmin Salter 51:52, Tim Swarbrick 52.13, Ed Brougham 52:19, Tim Clay 54:12, Peter Bishop 54:22, Naomi Garrick 54:47, Karen Farnham 56:45, Sue Collman 58:08, Derek Blackburn 58:15, Cheryl Boulton 59:07, Sarah Clapham 59:34, Kerry Salter 1:00:36, John Doherty 1:03:49, Alexa Baker 1:04:33, Carol Hounsell 1:07:10, Claire Hawes 1:08:33, Terry Bewes 1:09:47

An action packed weekend saw Sidmouth Running Club being represented at six events not including park runs!

On Saturday Climb South West held their second Sid Valley Ring half marathon starting and finishing on Sidmouth seafront. Five Mighty Greens entered and 3 finished in the first 11! Antony Hall knocked 8 minutes off his time from last year and came in 4th overall in 1:51:08, Oliver Goodchild-Horne 9th in 2:01:15 and Colin Ryan 11^th in 2:09:33. Rob Edwards and Ann Cole finished in 2:44:55 3:43:28 respectively. Colin said he really enjoyed the run; no mud, little rain and free beer at the end!

MGs at the start of the Sid Valley Ring

Mighty Green Darren Pearce took on the Salcombe Trail Running Challenge starting and finishing in Kingsbridge. Darren completed the SWCP half marathon in 2:30:00 which although challenging with 2105 feet of elevation and a very strong head wind he enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Darren at the SWCP 1/2M

Junior MG Ben Barnard and his MG mum Rachel took on the Inflatable 5k challenge at Westpoint on Saturday and met a very colourful MG, Ross Walton. They had great fun running, walking, crawling and bouncing their way around the course.

Inflable 5k at Westpoint

Then on Sunday, Rachel ran the 32Km Devonshire Dumpling, organised by the Long Distance Walkers Association who also welcome runners. The MG enjoyed the fab route which started and finished in Budleigh Salterton visiting Mutter’s Moor, Harpford Wood, Otterton and East Budleigh. Rachel was very happy to discover fellow SRC member Mark Andow was also running (the 52K route) and enjoyed the Mighty Green company until the first checkpoint where the two routes split. Mark’s challenging route took him from Budleigh to Littlecombe Shoot then inland to Street, Sidbury, Harpford, Otterton and East Budleigh with 2165m of climb!

Blackdown Hills Trail Run

Sidmouth Running Club was represented by 3 members who took part in the Blackdown Hills 10k Trail Run, organised by Prosper Events. Christine and Karen Farnham had to watch their footing as they ran through crop fields as it was hard going underfoot. Despite missing the turn off point for the 10k/half marathon split, Christine finished in 1:03:52, just ahead of her sister who finished in 1:04:50. Fellow MG, Derek Blackburn found the route which started from Taunton Race course fun but hard work and finished in 1:14:51.

Winners at Exmouth

Closer to home 8 MG’s lined up on a damp chilly Exmouth seafront to compete in The Clinic Maer 10k and half marathon organised by LME Events. The 10k route took you through Littleham and back to the seafront while the half went on to Knowle, Budleigh Salterton and back along the coast path with nearly 1000 feet of elevation. Jamie Locke was the first MG over the line in the half marathon in 2:05:42, 18^th out of 55 finisher, Stuart Moul finished in 2:17:15 and Gail Goldsmith in 2:41:56-first in her age category. There were plenty of prizes for the 10k runners, Niall Hawkins knocked 30 seconds off his PB and came in 3^rd overall and 2^nd in his age category in 40:56, Pete Norman finished in 11^th place, 1^st in his age category in 47:29, Yasmin Salter was 4^th female and 2^nd in her age category in 52.50 and Terry Bewes was 1^st in his age category in 1:06:53. Alexa Baker was just pleased to finish in 1:06:49!

A New Marathon PB for SRC Antony Hall Six Years In The Making

When Mighty Green Antony Hall lined up at the start line of the recent Manchester Marathon little did he know that in just over 3 hours time he would be celebrating a new marathon PB. In fact delighted Antony completed the 26.2 miles in 3:02:59, nearly 5 minutes quicker than his first marathon six years ago!

Antony at Manchester Marathon

SRC vice chair Sarah Watkins headed up the coast to compete in the Jurassic Coast Marathon followed by a half marathon the next day! Sarah said the scenery was stunning as she ran from Portland Bill to Lulworth Cove on day one and the weather was perfect as she ran from Lulworth Cove to Worth Matravers-St Albans Head. With both runs having 3,500 feet of elevation it made the steps up to the Frog Stone like trotting up your stairs!

Sarah at Jurassic Coast Marathon

JP’s Junior Fun Run and Exe To Axe Success

Sunday was a great day for Sidmouth Running Club where all the hard work behind the scenes paid off as the inaugural Junior Fun Run took place during the main JP’s Exe to Axe race.

Juniors flying downhill

Starting from the top of Mutters Moor 42 children charged across the field joined a SRC adult runner through the woods and road section to the top of the daffodil field then ran down the zig zag path along the millennium walkway, across the prom, around the playpark to the finish line.

Juniors after finishing

Chairman and fun run organiser, Terry Bewes, congratulated the youngsters on making their club proud and thanked the adult runners and marshals, many of whom went on to either run the Sidmouth to Seaton half of the Exe to Axe or marshal the main event. Junior coach Kerry Boyle said it was a glorious morning for the first ever JP’s Exe to Axe fun run and all the children seemed to enjoy it too.

Passing through Budleigh

Over in Exmouth there was a rolling start between 9.30 and 10am as over 140 runners began the demanding 22 mile coastal challenge to Seaton.
Hamish Spence wasn’t the only Mighty Green to take a tumble but carry on regardless along the scenic if slightly hilly (3900ft of elevation!) route. As Cath Miller put it, brutally beautiful!

Marshals at Branscombe

Jack Wilson found himself out of his comfort zone especially when cramp set in the other side of Branscombe when his water ran out. He was very grateful to the kindness of fellow runners who offered him salt and tablets which made him determined to finish. On crossing the line Jack declared it was one of the best experiences ever! Ollie Goodchild-Horne was the first of 20 SRC runners over the line 44^th out of 142 finishers of the full Exe to Axe in exactly 4 hours. We were all pleased to see Simon Hollyer looking much perkier at the end than he did last year and despite only just recovering from covid he had a PB too!

Sid to Axe runners starting out

At 11am the entrants to the Sidmouth to Seaton half set off including 14 Mighty Greens. Brigid McEleney-Smith thoroughly enjoyed the run coming in 5^th place out of 25 finishers in 2:20:08.

All the club runners appreciated the views of where they were heading and where they had been, the weather was perfect and underfoot was dry but having the support of the marshals, mostly SRC runners themselves, along the route sometimes in the middle of nowhere really made a difference. Their support and encouragement really helped and Jo Earlam was a perfect back runner.

It was a very well organised event with all profits going to the Ukraine.

Brenda Perratt said she is always proud when John’s Exe to Axe takes place and thanked Paul Mitchell, Rob Edwards, David Lee and everyone involved for keeping John’s memory and run alive.

A Sunny Weekend of Running

Sidmouth Running Club proved yet again that they like a challenge when many registered on Saturday for the Brain Tumour Research fundraiser to walk/jog/run as many lengths of Sidmouth seafront wearing a hat. The aim was to collectively walk/jog/run 1560 lengths by 4pm and with so many Mighty Greens taking part throughout the day it looked possible.

Marion

Jon Ball started the challenge at 8.30am with a selection of hats to wear having already run up Peak Hill and back. He completed 30 lengths and earned himself a free cream tea as did Simon Aldridge, Marion Johnson and Terry Bewes.

Naomi and Terry

Mark Andow enjoyed the flat and sunny conditions and went the extra mile(s), completing 50 lengths (20 miles) all part of his training plan for an ultra. SRC juniors ran and walked with their families including Ben Barnard, Jessica and Jasmine Thomson and families joined their Mighty Green parents including Harry Rose, Amelie Farrand, Ava Reeves and Pippa Johnson, all supporting each other as they passed by on the seafront.

Amelie and Paula

MG’s Helen Akay and Martin Barnard dressed to impress with inflatable costumes-though they slightly impeded their running ability! The running club’s support was greatly appreciated by the Wear A Hat organisers.

Cheryl at Weston-super-Mare

Sunday was ‘a game of two halves’ as Mighty Greens Cheryl Boulton and Judith Jeeves ran in the Weston Super Half and the Cardiff half marathon respectively.

Judith at Cardiff

Club secretary Cheryl said, “Considering my 10 days of Covid ended last Saturday, I’m quite pleased with my time of 2:09:26 (only 3 minutes slower than the same race in October 2021).” Judith completed her half marathon in 2:29:11.

Juniors at Keble’s Seat

The 11+ SRC juniors enjoyed a spectacular sunset from Keble’s Seat last Wednesday and are looking forward to running off road in daylight now we have sprung forward. Please get in touch with the club if you would like to join them on a Wednesday evening. www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk

Ollie Goodchild-Horne Rises To The Challenge

SRC member Ollie Goodchild-Horne put his determination, stamina and calf muscles to the test last weekend when he took part in Norm’s Helium Loops organised by Climb South West.

Ollie starting off

To stay in the race you have to complete the 5.35km loop on the hour, every hour-not so easy when each loop involves 250m of climb! Four loops = a half marathon, 8 = a marathon, 30 loops in 30 hours is 100 miles.

Ollie in action

The Mighty Green started in brilliant sunshine with a brisk wind along the coastal stretch with his dad and fellow MG Adrian ‘Gripper’ Horne running alongside for company and 21 competitors. After lap 2 Adrian went on to support Ollie from the side lines and saw him complete his 13^th loop under the cover of darkness at 10pm. Ollie had run for 10:44:00, a total of 43.5 miles and 3,500m of height elevation. Although the event was scheduled for 36 hours the last 2 runners gave up at 9am Sunday morning having completed 24 laps! A very memorable way to spend a Saturday night!

Clive at Weymouth. Photo: Ken Hewitt Photography

On Sunday Clive Gilbert went back to his birthplace to take part in the Weymouth half marathon. The Mighty Green was surprised but pleased to not only run a sub 2 hours, 1:54:07, but get a PB for 15km, 10 miles and 20K. Coming in 325 out of 800 runners it looks like turning 50 years old isn’t holding him back!

Lovely day for a run

Nineteen club runners took advantage of a coach trip to Colyton on Sunday morning to mark the last of the Sunday runs and what a lovely morning it was. Running back to Sidbury along the East Devon Way in shirt sleeves was a novelty in its self; layers were being discarded from the off. Luckily the route was very well sign posted and except for a little mix up at the start (the coach dropped them off at the wrong bridge!) the runners self-navigated effortlessly. Janice Ransom had a memorable moment when a goose bit her on the bottom going through Mincombe Farm and there were hills but the views from the top made it all worthwhile.

Terry enjoying yet another uphill

Chairman Terry Bewes might have slightly underestimated the length of the run by two miles but no one complained as the scenery and weather were spectacular. The runners would like to thank Terry for organising the longer Sunday training runs, great preparation for The Grizzly, Bicton Blister, The Blackdown Beast and The Exe to Axe.

There is still time to sign up to JP’s Exe to Axe Race which takes place on Sunday 3^rd April. The club has just announced all profits raised will be donated to the Ukrainian appeal. Please go to www.sidmouthrunningclub.com for more info.

Celebrating Milestone Birthdays and Clocking Up Marathons

Sidmouth Running club member, Clive Gilbert celebrated his 50th birthday the Mighty Green way on Saturday. Clive was looking forward to being at the younger end of the 50-54 age group at Exmouth park run, rather than being at the top end of the 45-49 age group. Despite the bright and breezy conditions, Clive was delighted to finish in 50^th place with a PB. Clive was pleased to see other SRC members at the start including Jack Wilson who had a terrific first Exmouth parkrun, coming in 6^th overall in 19:14 minutes!

Men’s Walk

A quick turnaround and Clive then took part in the Hospiscare Men’s Walk with fellow Mighty Greens Derek Blackburn, Chris Heywood, Mark Andow and Mark Norton. They all enjoyed each other’s company at a more leisurely pace which included a pub stop on the 8 mile circular route.

Clive, chairman Terry Bewes who celebrated his 75^th birthday the MG way by running the Grizzly cub and vice chair Sarah Watkins also celebrating a milestone birthday invited Wednesday club runners to a drink after the run too which was enjoyed by all.

Jane and Jo in the rain

On Sunday Jo Earlam and Jane Hemsworth clocked up another marathon each, number 88 for Jo and 33 for Jane! The Mighty Greens took part in the Grand Western Canal marathon organised by Winding Paths. Jo and Jane were very pleased to receive their medals at the end and dry off as although they managed to avoid the worst of the rain it was very wet underfoot.

The Grizfest and The Grizzly was awash with Mighty Greens of all ages

Heading to Seaton on Saturday afternoon the SRC juniors really enjoyed taking part in the junior Cub and junior Grizzly. Proudly wearing the Mighty Green Hamish Bishop, John Dunsford, Hunter Ingram, Flynn Lancaster, Amalie and Barney Baxter, Ru and Taya Meek ran in the 2k cub for 8-11 year olds with Barney coming 8^th. Dominic Hall, Isabel and Louis Galvez competed in the Grizzly and all enjoyed the experience. All the juniors came away buzzing from the supportive atmosphere.

Grizfest warm up

Then on Sunday at 10.30am, seventy Mighty Greens lined up with 1,141 other runners from all over the world. There was disappointment for several SRC runners though, as covid had caught up with them and despite all the hours of training were unable to compete.

Mighty Greens at the Grizzly

The Grizzly has a reputation, not just for the race itself but for its slick organisation by Axe Valley Runners and they excelled themselves again this year. From the commentary and mass singalong at the start, to the army of friendly, encouraging marshals, Beer coastguards on hand on the Stairway to Heaven, Drum 4 Fun sounding amazing heading out of Seaton, Saxminster at Beer, Taiko, the Japanese drummers on Branscombe beach which you could hear way before you could see them, the remembrance tree, The Fountaineers not forgetting the sweets, beer, rum and flapjack on offer.

Ann and Julia

There were a few first timers in the group who despite hearing the tales about running on pebbles, through rivers and losing shoes in the very muddy sections were strangely looking forward to it. What they didn’t anticipate was the support of the community, people of all ages were lining the streets, popping up in isolated areas, some with instruments, some with balloons, all clapping and cheering, some family and friends but mostly not-they have no idea how much it spurs you on and makes you smile especially at mile 17,18,19!

Rachel enjoying the mud

At the end of the run, be it 9 or 20 miles, there was a story to share; behind the tiredness and stiffness, there was a sense of achievement, the training had paid off, The Grizzly had been conquered!

Bradleys Spring 10k

While seventy Mighty Greens were over in Seaton doing the Grizzly, over in Exmouth six Mighty Greens took part in the Spring Bradleys 10k organised by LME events.

Mighty Greens at Exmouth

Jack Wilson not only came 9^th overall in 41:02 but knocked 4 minutes off his PB. Naomi Loosemore also got a new PB 56:12, coming in after Jamie Locke, 48:12 and Shaun Tipton, 51.59. Gail Goldsmith came first in her age category in 1:00:34 with Marion Johnson hot on her heels, 1:02:44.

Mighty Greens running far and wide

Sidmouth Running Club has been represented far and wide this weekend starting with Jo Earlam completing her 87^th marathon in Exmouth, Toby Garrick wearing the Mighty Green at the Kilimanjaro Marathon and Kirsteen Welch racing with the elite and smashing another club record at the Wokingham half marathon on Sunday.

Jo and marathon #87

Jo thoroughly enjoyed the out and back course on Saturday organised by Running Events Devon. In total the Mighty Green ran 8 laps of the 3.28 mile loop between Exmouth and Budleigh along the old railway line and was pleasantly surprised with her time 5:46:00.

Toby at the Kilimanjaro marathon

For Toby, who is currently on his 3^rd year Bath placement volunteering in Tanzania for 5 months teaching sports, getting to the start of the Kilimarathon was a marathon itself. A 13 hour bus ride, a 10 minute stop, another bus then a taxi! But it was worth it, running through small holder farms, villages, banana and coffee plantations and patches of forest with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. The race started at 6.45am to make the most of the cooler temperature and the MG was delighted to finish 104th in 3:39.06 in the shadow of Kilimanjaro.

Kirsteen at Wokingham

Kirsteen had a Sunday to remember at the Wokingham half marathon: a new club record, third place AND an elite entry to Manchester marathon on 3^rd April. Kirsteen said it was great to race amongst the elite road runners and the crowd was very supportive which spurred her on. Aiming for a sub 75 the Mighty Green finished the race in 74:42 despite the tough undulating course and was delighted to hear she came 3^rd! When receiving her trophy the commentator said “Kirsteen Welch, all the way from lovely Sidmouth” and she couldn’t agree more. Having knocked 1:45 off the club record which had been held since 2015, the club looks forward to seeing if more records will get broken in Manchester.