Brooks Snowdonia Marathon

The inaugural Snowdonia Marathon was held in 1982, and was conceived as a dramatic alternative to the numerous city and town races becoming so popular. This demanding and spectacular route, encircling Snowdon, Wales’ and England’s highest peak, has given the event a unique place in the annual marathon calendar. This much loved marathon has twice been voted the best marathon in the UK despite it being widely regarded as one of the most difficult.

The race starts just outside Llanberis and is challenging from the very start as it climbs to the top of the Llanberis Pass (1,100ft) before dropping down and along the ancient Nant Cwyryd road towards Pen-y-Cwyryd. Then comes a spell of respite as the route heads to Beddgelert (200ft) and then on to Waunfawr. It is then a rapid climb up to Bwlch y Groes at about 1,200ft before heading downhill to the finish at Llanberis.

Experienced marathon runner Danny Painter from SIDMOUTH Running Club set off to take part in good spirit but this soon disappeared spending 8 hours in Friday evening motorway traffic trying to get there. However that was soon forgotten lining up at the start the next morning. Another excellent run saw him finish in 3:43:03. His stage positions were Pen y Pass 370, halfway 282, 23 miles 321 and finished 308 overall in a field of 2069 finishers.

Not a race for the faint hearted.

The Templar 10

With so many races coming onto the calendar there are bound to be conflicts and so it proved. While some SIDMOUTH Running Club members were at Castle Drogo, John Doherty and new members Louise and Steve Saunders donned the Mighty Green and headed off to Newton Abbot to run the Templar 10.

This race organised by the Teignbrige Trotters is a multi-terrain 10 mile course starting and finishing in the wonderful grounds of Stover School. The course was changed last year to avoid long stretches of road and is now 90% off road where runners have the pleasure of running through the picturesque Stover Country Park as well as the fields at Teingrace.

It was a cold, crisp sunny day and dry underfoot ideal conditions. First Club runner home was Louise in 1:30:39 wearing number 243 followed by husband Steve in 1:31:53 wearing 244. She told me this was girl power but I am led to believe by Steve that, as always, he was doing the gentlemanly thing by giving her the lower race number.

John Doherty showed that there is still life in the old dog as all the Fridays runs he has been doing lately resulted in him knocking 8 minutes off last years’ time to finish in 1:40:55.

The winning time was 56:59 with 236 finishers, another popular event.

The Drogo 10

Seven SIDMOUTH Running Club members ventured to the edge of Dartmoor to run this challenging and beautiful Drogo 10. This is definitely one of the most scenic races in the calendar and one of the best supported too – nearly 300 runners completed the 10 mile course this year. The conditions were perfect a little cool breeze and a grass frost had turned the fields white especially along the river. The trees were multi coloured and at times you were showered with leaves falling down as you ran along. The views from the ridges were outstanding this year with the clear air highlighting the colour of the trees and the distance views. The bonus this year was the course was virtually dry which is unheard of for this race. It was a pleasure to be there.

When you think about the Drogo the mind tends to focus on the notorious Hunters’ Path, a brutal half mile climb back towards the castle at mile 8. However, it would be foolish to forget hills no. 1 and no. 2 both of which are energy-sapping climbs from the river valley to the ridge path. Those members who had been on the training run from Weston to Beer and back the previous week were well prepared for them.

Lining up at the start with 5 minutes to go Julian Bartlett turns up enquiring “where do you pick up your number”.He blamed his sat-nav for giving him the wrong information. Sarah Watkin’s daughter Jessica, who is 5 months pregnant, was a guest runner and decided that due to her condition she would take it easy and run with Sarah and Terry. That plan lasted all of 5 minutes and then she was gone.

Antony Hall continues to return some excellent times coming 29^th in 1:13:46. Julian Bartlett 1:29:33, Karine Silver 1:36:44, Susan Perry 1:40:43, Jessica Raynor 1;44:52, Sarah Watkins 1:49:24, Simon Hollyer who had been ill all week 1:49:24 and bringing up the rear as usual Terry Bewes in 1:50:08 although he did knock 8 minutes off of his previous best for this course. He took a leaf out of Rob Edwards book and had a relaxing coffee before the start. Just goes to show you are never too old to learn. A great morning out.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10K

This 10K event is run on the first Saturday of the month from October to March. It is held in a phenomenal London location avoiding all road crossings. It is a flat, 3 lap race with a few tight turns and slight undulations taking in the Pringle, Arcelor Mittal Orbit and both sides of the river. It is a mixed ability race and all runners are welcome. There were 567 entrants split roughly 50/50, male/female.

Joining the start line wearing her Mighty Green Vest was Jane Hemsworth who completed the race in 51:03 wining her 1^st place in her age group and 51st female over all. The £15 entry was great value as at the finish you were given a great goody bag and a sparkly medal. Jane said “it was awesome to be there” so awesome in fact that she did not even go shopping.

SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon

Combining a short break with running in the marathon, Lynda and Kaylee Hawkins headed off to Dublin Fair City. This is the 37^th time this race has been run and it grows bigger each year to now become the 4^th largest Marathon in Europe.

This year 19,500 runners lined up at the start. The race starts in Fitzwilliam Square and visits many of the historical and popular sites of this amazing and vibrant City. It is so popular that it was sold out by the end of August. To assist the runners there are pace setters from 3 to 5 hours at 10 minutes intervals.

Split times for Lynda and Kaylee were 10K, 59:29, Half Marathon, 2:06:35, 30K, 3:03:40, finish, 4:18:40. Mother and daughter running and finishing together.

To celebrate the 1916 centennial all participants received a commemorative finisher’s medal. Racing over it was then time to go and enjoy this party city.

Next’s years’ race is on Sunday October 29^th.

Exmoor Trail Running Challenge

Nigel Maeer and Gary Anning took themselves off to Lynton in North Devon to compete in this most arduous race. There is a 50K Ultra Marathon, a Full and Half Marathon and a 10K all run on the day. Nigel and Garry went for the half.

The route includes the sharpest coastal hill climb, Savage Hill, in the Country followed by the longest stretch of wooded coast line in the Country. Set in the hidden Doone Valley, not far from the beautiful Towns and Villages of Lynton, Lynmouth, Portlock and Minehead is this challenging yet beautiful course. This fantastic route, coupled with the stunning start / finish venue of Cloud Farm makes for one of the most exciting event in the Trail Running Series with amazing views of North Devon and Exmoor.

The Half is classed as a level 3 – Hard run with 1357 metres of ascent. Both had exceptional times, Nigel coming 18^th in 2:35:11 and Gary in 2:39:39.

Gary did an Allister Brownlee coming towards the end when he stopped to help a fellow competitor who was in trouble and kept him going to the finish.

There were 32 finishers in the Ultra, 10 in the Marathon, 95 in the Half, and 76 in the 10K. A very hard but very popular event enjoyed by many. Congratulations Boys.

Worksop Halloween Half Marathon

Established in 1982, The Worksop Halloween Half Marathon (also known as ‘the scenic one’) takes place on the last Sunday in October every year. The course runs largely through Clumber Park, which provides beautiful scenery and is perfect for spectators to support their family and friends along the route. This is a hugely popular event which is soon sold out.

Leaving the Mighty Green behind, marathon veteran Jo Earlam arrived at the start suitably dress with her niece Jo Kidd who was running this distance for the first time. Both thoroughly enjoyed themselves finishing together in 2:15:00 a very good time for a first timer.

Sibelco Dartmoor Vale Half

Two of our newer Club members Louise and Steve Saunders smartly kitted out in their newly acquired Mighty Green Vest couldn’t wait to test them out in a race, so off they went to the Dartmoor Vale Half Marathon.

This is a road race organised by the Rotary Club of Dartmoor Vale. The start and finish is at Sibelco, East Gold Works, Newton Abbot. The run heads out to Kingsteignton on to Chudleigh Knighton then into Chudleigh and back to Newton Abbot. There is also a marathon which is another lap and a 10k race.

Both were pleased to come in within two hours as it was rather a hilly course. Steve came home in 1:59:50 and Louise in 1:59:51. However the results sheet shows Louise as the first Club runner home and Steve second. Must have been a lady doing the results!!!!! Ooops. There were 197 finishers.

The Ashfords Great West Run

First run in 1985 the Great West Run was originally run as a marathon but in recent years has been run as a very popular half marathon. The route is not one for a Personal Best as it is quite hilly. It takes an exciting 13.1 mile route through the heart of Exeter. This half marathon has it all; the energy of a city centre road race, combined with the beautiful country lanes of St Andrews Road and on towards Stoke Woods and stunning views across Exeter, this indicating the height you reach.

The race starts in the High Street to Okehampton Road, through Exwick to Cowly Hill, up Stoke Road, along Cowly Bridge Road and through the University, Old Tiverton Road, out and back along Pinhoe Road, along Blackboy Road to the finish in the High Street.

SIDMOUTH Running Club was well represented with 11 runners and one family friend, Annie Lee, taking part. First home for the Club runners but not wearing the Mighty Green as he was running in a charity vest in a storming time of 1:25:47 taking 50^th place overall was Antony Hall.

The winning time was 1:10:10 and there were 2134 finishers. Other Club times: Graham Stout 1:41:48, Jenny Da Silva 1:45:24, Alan Colwill 1:50:00, Graham (Rocker) Sheppard 1:58:04, Becky Robson 2:02:41, Jo Earlam 2:03:40, Paul Wright 2:11:06, Emma Salter 2:21:08, Sasha Colwill 2:32:56, Rebecca Colwill 2:45:31.

Although disappointed that they did not break the 2 hour mark both Becky and Jo were happy with their times as they were pretty near the times they recorded for the much easier Bristol half they ran three weeks ago.

The story of the race belongs to Emma Salter and these are her words.

“This was the 7^th half marathon that I have run and the 3^rd year in a row that I have run Exeter. Last year I finished in 2:01:00 and was gutted to miss the sub 2 hour time. This year with other more pressing commitments like recently getting married I have not been training so knew that a sub 2 hours was not on. I had the option of dropping my pace to around 10 minute miles coming in around 2:20:00 or as my husband James suggested go at the sub 2 hour pace to find my break point then try and push through it. I have just signed up for my first marathon next April and this would be a good lesson. I held that pace for 6 miles but by mile 8 I knew I was in trouble. With the knowledge that at 9.5 miles you are passing the finish line on the other side of the road and with the last 3.6 miles out and back along Pinhoe Road up and down those little hills I had resigned myself to call it quits and be happy I’d managed 9.5 miles. I pulled in, stopped the Garmin and crossed the road. I was sick, lungs burning, pins and needles in my hands and feet. My legs were aching like mad and I started to cry. I had taken the easy option and gave up. But then something made me man up and pull myself together, I crossed back over the road and started my Garmin again. The pain in my legs and chest got worse and those last miles were a nightmare but James said I crossed the finish line doing a Jonnie Brownlee in 2:21:08.

It is stupid and dangerous to run a half marathon with no training and I would certainly not recommend it to anyone especially if you are new to running. For me though it was a good feeling to know that I had the mental strength to pull myself through when my body was telling me it had had enough. However I will not be doing that again and will have a full and thorough training plan for the Marathon.”

The Cabbage Patch 10

The Cabbage Patch 10 is a highly professional race. It is a race organised by runners for runners and is almost as old as the London Marathon! It is one of the flattest, most scenic ten mile races in the country aimed at runners of all standards on roads and towpaths. Starting in King Street, Twickenham, the route crosses the Thames at Kingston Bridge and Richmond Bridge, runs along the Riverside to finish on the drive in front of the York House Civic Building in Twickenham. This is the 34^th year that the race has been run.

The Cabbage Patch 10 was founded in 1982 by Frank Dupree, ex landlord of the Cabbage Patch Pub and Malcolm Ellis, founding member of The Stragglers Running Club. For you mathematicians out there it was not run last year because of the Rugby World Cup. Over the years this race as raised around £100,000 for charity.

The Cabbage Patch is actually named after the nickname of Twickenham Rugby Stadium. Before the stadium was constructed, the site was used to grow cabbages and hence the giving of cabbages as prizes to the top runners. Previous winners and high placed finishers include Olympian Mo Farah, Scott Overall and Mara Yamauchi. Richard Nerurkar set an all-time British Record on the course in 1993 – a stunning 46:02. Also in the race that day was Rob Edwards our WebEd who finished around 20 minutes later. He said “that was a good time for me back then, it was a perfect course for a PB and in those days the changing was in the pub, very convenient.” This year’s winning time was 48:16.

The race Director this year was Caitlin Limmer a great longstanding friend of SIDMOUTH Running Clubs Justin and Claire Ashby who previous lived in Twickenham and this was the reason they were on the start line in the Mighty Green on Sunday morning, unfortunately there was no cabbage for their dinner this time.

Justin who is running extremely well at the moment, recording a PB of 35:30 for a 10K only a few weeks ago, finished 34^th in a time of 58:41 which also won him his age group category. Claire also ran a very steady race after very little training finishing comfortably inside the top half of the field in 1:24:37. The popularity of this race can be seen by the number of finishers, 1452.

And a final word from Caitlin “The race will continue to be what it has always been; a race of legends, both for the Olympic athlete and the common runner.” Truly a race for all.