The heavy mist and gloom on Dartmoor soon lifted to create the perfect running conditions, sun and a warm wind, which were much appreciated by four Sidmouth Running Club members taking on the 11 Tors Of Dartmoor Challenge on Saturday. Organised by Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Tavistock to raise much needed funds Mark Norton, Alice Gill, Janice Ransom and Hannah Maslen thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Janice, Alice, Hannah and Mark on Dartmoor

Thirteen Mighty Greens ran at 8 parkrun events including Colin Ryan, Christine Farnham and Julia Haddrell at Seaton parkrun.

Colin and Christine at sunny Seaton

Colin’s time of 21:12 was a tantalizing four seconds away from his PB at Seaton. Further afield Debbie & Don Cawthera ran at Nant y Pandy (Anglesey) parkrun; the route takes in red squirrel inhabited woodland and Debbie was very fortunate to see one.

Don and Debbie

Clive Gilbert was one of 37 park runners at Newent parkrun in the Forest of Dean who braved the torrential thunderstorms. The Mighty Green finished in 10^th place.

Emma Grainger took part in Teignbridge Trotters Ladies 10k on Sunday. This is a favourite event of Emma’s as every finisher receives a unique memento.  The race started from Ipplepen Cricket Club and followed scenic, undulating rural lanes through the local hamlets of Ogwell and Denbury. The Mighty Green finished in 1:19:52.

Emma and her artwork

Louise Dalton, Mark Andow and Stuart Moul took part in the Trust 10k event at The Golden Cap in Dorset. The National Trust have been running these free events on the last Sunday of every month between March and October throughout the UK to encourage runners to enjoy the landscapes and nature surrounding you rather than a competitive event supported by timing systems. The Golden Cap route is a challenging multi terrain run involving steep climbs and uneven, muddy paths but this didn’t stop the intrepid Mighty Greens from enjoying the views at the top.

Louise, Stuart and Mark

The Mighty Greens like to challenge themselves and Jim Hudson and Liz Wright certainly have over the last two weekends. Both took part in the Get Guts Jurassic coastal walk, 22 miles between Seaton and Exmouth raising money and awareness for RD&E’s Stoma group. Over £1,800 was raised which made getting soaked through from Budleigh onwards all the more worthwhile. It was off to the Peak District then to take part in the 9 Edges Fell race in the Peak District.  The 20 mile off road route started in Fairholmes and took in high moorland and grit stone edges to finish in the Robin Hood pub near Birchen Edge.  Jim said it was an excellent event with great weather and route.

Jim Hudson

Jo Earlam also challenged herself by running her 102^nd marathon after a year gap.  The Mighty Green took part in Running Events Devon 100 marathon club’s AGM event on Saturday. Jo said it was a beautiful day to be running along the old railway line between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton and was very pleased with her 5:40:00 finish time.

Jo Earlam

It’s not just the adults who like a challenge; junior Jude Carson was on Exeter canal with the Mighty Green Dragon Boat racing team last Sunday practising his paddling and drumming skills for the first time and this weekend he took part in his first park run at Exmouth.

Jude with the MG Dragons

Talking of park runs SRC’s Maja Luna ran her 25^th at Cranbrook while Don Cawthera and Derek Blackburn ran their 150^th.  Don and wife Debbie ran with 54 other park runners along an old railway line in Dolgellau, North Wales and Derek ran on the former Frys Chocolate factory in Keynsham.

Sidmouth Running Club Juniors, coaches and helpers had a very memorable last session before they broke for Summer; an evening with Olympian Jo Pavey MBE. Jo shared her experiences from grass roots running to life in an Olympic Village (very distracting with lots of food options!), took time to answer lots of questions and gave everyone the opportunity to look at/wear her very weighty medals including her Commonwealth gold medal.

Junior run leaders Grahame and Donna with Jo Pavey MBE

Everyone went for a short run together before heading back inside for a presentation of awards for the children by SRC junior coaches Donna and Grahame Womersley-Westlake.  Congratulations go to Jude and Freyja Carson, most improved male and female; Marcus Wieffer and Flynn Lancaster, best loopers under 11 and over 11; Christopher Witowski and Amelia Womersley, most represented SRC at events; Samuel Crompton, most encouraging; Hunter Ingram most supportive; Emily Smith and Louis Bridges, best attendance under 11 and over 11; Jack Westlake Chairman’s award.

Samuel receiving his award

Eleanor Wieffer, Mac Jones, Catherine Witowski, Margot Ingram, Reuben Johnson, Jackson Jarmy, Isaac and Clayton Vickery all received participation awards for their consistent effort and positive contribution to the club. It was an amazing evening to round off a great term of trail runs, not only did the juniors get to run alongside an Olympian they received their certificates and trophies from one too; the club is very grateful to Jo for taking the time out of her very busy schedule to spend time and inspire the juniors. As Grahame said, “can’t wait to see what another year of running with these stars will bring!”

Running with an Olympian

If you are interested in joining the Juniors on a Wednesday evening 5.45-6.45 from September please contact the club on www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk

Four SRC juniors completed the Pretty Muddy 5k run in very wet conditions on Saturday raising an amazing £495 for Cancer Research.

The awesome foursome

Reuben Johnson finished the 5km run in 25 minutes completing one of the obstacles, Jude Carson finished in 30 minutes completing all but one of the obstacles, Amelia Womersley and Emily Smith, finished in 41.5 minutes and conquered all the obstacles along the way. As the name suggests they were all pretty muddy at the end but very pleased to have taken part.  Well done to the awesome foursome!

A muddy Jude

Nine Mighty Greens took part in 7 park run events this week including Derek Blackburn who completed his second alphabet running at Valentines parkrun in Ilford, Essex.  This means the MG has completed 50 park runs, 2 of which start with each letter of the alphabet (no x). It’s currently possible to complete 9 alphabets, so Derek still has plenty to aim for.

Derek feeling romantic

Have you spotted SRC’s flag in town?  We were delighted to take part in Sidmouth School of Art’s community flag project-they really brighten up the town.

Flying the flag for SRC

July is the time to experience the lighter side of Honiton Running Club’s Blackdown Beast-the Blackdown Beauty and four Mighty Greens did just that.  Starting from Hemyock Junior School, the self-navigating route took them through the very picturesque Blackdown Hills.

Beauties Ann, Neville, Charlie and Jane

This is very much a social run not a race with a cream tea stop halfway round in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. SRC’s Jane Hemsworth and Ann Cole were very appreciative of a warming cup of tea having got caught in a downpour, they both ran the 11.75 mile route.  Charlie Fawell and Neville Hylton ran the 18.5 mile route which is a great achievement being full of scones, jam and cream!

A rather damp Jane and Ann

The Otter River and Rail 10k and fun run also took place on Saturday organised by Tipton St John Playing Field Association in conjunction with Sidmouth Running Club. It was a case of how many Mighty Greens does it take to fill chairman Terry Bewes’ shoes following another fracture on Monday AFTER the club run. Only 3 weeks back running after four months off following his fall which fractured his elbow, he is now looking at 6+ weeks off running with a fractured ankle; Terry is certainly being tested this year! Terry was very grateful to Brigid McEleney-Smith, Jo Earlam and Alexa Baker who (under his supervision) erected the finish line arch and flags early in the morning ahead of the event.  Also stepping up was MG Naomi Garrick who led the warmups before the runs in a very fun fashion and Leeann Thomson who along with Jo were the back runners.

A Mighty Green turn out

Five juniors proudly represented the club in the 2k fun run with Reuben finishing in 9 minutes, Harry 11 minutes, Amelia 12 minutes, Anna 14 minutes and Jack who stopped to help a young boy who had fallen, 22 minutes. They all enjoyed themselves especially the jelly snake at the end!

Twenty Two Mighty Greens enjoyed the 10k run along the river Otter, through Harpford Woods, along the old railway line back towards Tipton, through fields out to Fluxton and along muddy tracks back to the village playing fields. Roger Worthinton was the first male SRC to finish in 51:36, 50^th out of a field of 230 runners and Kerry Boyle first female SRC to finish in 53:06.  Mighty Greens Catherine Hilton and David King won first local woman finishing in 56:57 and first in MV70 age category in 54:22 respectively and everyone received a bottle of Otter Brewery beer.

The Juniors gather

Results: Roger Worthington 51:36; Colin L’Anson 51:50; Kerry Boyle 53:06; Adrian Harris 53:43; David King 54:22; Catherine Hilton 56:57; Richard King 57:06; Tim Swarbrick 57:15; Yasmin Salter 57:57; Naomi Garrick 59:10; Scott Chown 59:33; Katy Cartwright 59:83; Christine Farnham 1:00:19; Karen Farnham 1:01:12; Sarah Clapham 1:03:18; Brigid McEleney-Smith 1:03:18; Carol Hounsell 1:08:02; Grace Wightman 1:14:02; Marion Johnson 1:17:54; Donna Womersley-Westlake 1:19:45;  Hannah Wightman 1:19:48; Emma Grainger 1:22:10

Sidmouth Running Club’s Donna, Grahame and Amelia Womersley-Westlake enjoyed Cranbrook’s first colour run on Saturday.  They took part in the 2km family fun run around the country park passing multiple colour stations along the way.  Luckily, they substituted white t-shirts for their Mighty Green ones as all three were covered from head to toe by the end and Donna needed her MG shirt for the following day.

The Barmy Cranbrook Colour Runners

Donna was joined by four Mighty Greens on Sunday to run in LME Events’ Balmy Bicton 10k. Starting and finishing at Millwater School the route takes in quiet country lanes with off road sections. Living up to its’ name the run was balmy with rain threatening though fortunately the deluge held off till after the race had finished. Chris Parker was the first Mighty Green to finish in 23^rd place out of a field of 106 in a very fast 47:16, MG Scott Chown also finished under the hour in 57:39.  Judith Jeeves was the first female MG to finish in 1:01:51, closely followed by Alice Gill in 1:05:02 and Donna in 1:15:05.

The Balmy Bicton 10k-ers

Whilst some Mighty Greens were at JMS Training’s strength and conditioning class run leader Yasmin Salter represented SRC at the Exeter River Run on Friday evening.  Yasmin really enjoyed the flat course and stunning scenery-not that she had time to take it all in as she finished in 51:14!

Yasmin after a very fast 10k

The club was represented by 17 SRC park runners in 8 different locations including London, Winchester, Devizes, Frogmary Green Farm, Victoria Dock, Seaton, Exmouth and Cranbrook.  It was David Skinner’s 278^th park run the most recorded by a Mighty Green.

Clive at Victoria Dock

Five Mighty Greens ran the Exe Estuary half marathon which took place on Sunday.  Organised by Winding Paths and based at Budleigh Salterton the multi terrain race started with a 5 mile loop around the River Otter before heading on the coast path towards Exmouth and returning to Budleigh.  Despite the hilly course (1700 ft elevation), hot conditions and a wrong turn where two speedy ladies overtook her, MG Louise Dalton finished in 11^th position out of a field of 103 in 2:06:48.

Results:  Louise Dalton 2:06:48; Becky Knapman 2:30:43; Sarah Watkins 3:10:03; Carol Hounsell 3:10:03; Clare Luke 3:10:04

Clare, Carol, Sarah, Louise and Becky

It was misson accomplished for Mighty Greens Chris McCormick, Neville and Kay Hylton when they ran the most northern marathon after weeks of training and preparation.  Starting in Tromsø, the Arctic capital of Norway at 69 degrees north about 350 km north of the arctic circle Kay and Christine started the half marathon at 9pm finishing in 2:43 and 2:47 respectively.

Chris, Nev and Kay

Neville started the marathon at 8:30pm finishing in 4:02. Neville said there wasn’t any ice or polar bears but the race lived up to its name, with blinding sunlight and blue sky throughout the night. It was bizarre waiting to run a marathon so late; winter club runs will seem odd in the dark!

The only polar bear Nev encountered

SRC’s Lynda Hawkins ran her first ultra marathon with her daughter Kaylee last weekend and they chose a challenging one; GB Ultra Wales.  In the words of Lynda, a 52 mile extreme, brutal, insane, beautiful mountain and trail race up Cadair Idris Penygader (893m) and the Queen of the Rhinogs’ Rhinog Fach (712m) with good organisation, lots of food and supportive marshals.

MG Lynda with daughter Kaylee

Sidmouth Running Club were out in force last Wednesday, fielding 7 junior and 7 senior teams of three at the Woodland Relays, a fantastic club turn out.

A sea of Mighty Green

Organised by Exmouth Harriers the inter club event was based at the perfectly positioned Budleigh Salterton cricket club.  The two mile loop went along the river Otter to Otterton looping back on the new path through the stunning wetlands.

The sun was shining and the atmosphere was electric with 45 teams taking part from SRC, Honiton RC, Axe Valley Runners and Exmouth Harriers. Runners, family and friends were all cheering each other along at the change over point.  For some of the SRC adults and juniors it was their first time wearing the Mighty Green at an event and they did the club proud. The juniors who were second and third to run in their teams were incredibly patient and supportive of each other and made good use of the Mighty Green flags and green cheer leading pom poms.

The Juniors were out in force

A special mention must go to 11 year old juniors Jude Carson and Emily Smith and 8 year old Amelia Womersley-Westlake who volunteered to run twice rather than lose a team when three of the juniors were unable to attend. In Jude’s case he ran two laps consecutively, 4 miles, at a very consistent pace.

Jude ran 2 consecutive laps

Mighty Green Mark Norton went above and beyond too, he turned up to support the club despite not having a team and ran with the steadier paced juniors on all 3 laps.  Yasmin Salter was the first to run in her junior leader team and was very proud of junior Samuel Crompton when he overtook her with a big smile on his face close to the finish line.

Samuel gearing up to overtake Yasmin

To round off the event everyone retired to the club house for the prize giving, refreshments and a chance to socialise with each other.

Also enjoying a warm and sunny evening five Sidmouth Running Club members Christine and Karen Farnham, Mark Norton, Roger Worthington and Gertrude De Waard travelled to Umborne near Colyton last Saturday to compete in the Umborne Ug. The challenging 10k multi terrain event runs through beautiful scenic countryside giving stunning views across East Devon. The event is organised by Axe Valley Runners and local villagers to raise funds for Umborne Hall.

The Umborne Ug-ers (+ Gertrude)

Karen said ‘It’s a very friendly and low-key event and we were spurred on by the thought of the delicious cakes and BBQ awaiting us after the run’.

Results: Roger 61:10; Mark 61:29; Christine 67:28; Karen 69:04; Gerturde 77:29

It’s that time of year when the Mighty Green running shirts get packed in suitcases and taken on a road trip-or nearly!  Mark Norton forgot his when he recently took part in the Rise and Stride 10km in Long Beach California but he made sure Sidmouth was on his bib.  The Mighty Green ran his fastest 10k in a long time and finished first in 49:05.

Mark Norton in Long Beach CA

Wearing his Mighty Green shirt Tim Swarbrick stood out among the 2,000 runners and walkers taking part in the 12k Wine Run and walk in Lanzarote. The run is through the stunning wine growing area where vines are grown in little stone circles to protect them from the wind and sun.  The route uses farm tracks and paths which are covered in black volcanic gravel making it challenging underfoot with risk of injury and at best a running shoe full of small stones which adds to the pain!

Tim Swarbrick in Lanzarote

Tim completed the run in 1:13:00, an exceptional time considering the 26 degree heat. His wife Lois walked the same route with a group of friends in 2:35:00 and they all enjoyed the village festival at the end which included live music, amazing locally sourced food and of course, wine which Tim didn’t drink as he’s a beer drinker!

Amelia-Womersley Westlake represented Sidmouth Running Club twice during the half term break as well as joining in a junior running club team building session at the Bear Trail in Cullompton.

Amelia and Graham finish the Two Hills Challenge

First up for the 8 year old was the Chagford Two Hills Challenge which took place on bank holiday Monday.  Running alongside her dad, Grahame, Amelia thoroughly enjoyed the tough and testing race which included an ascent up Meldon and Nattadon Hills and a stretch in a knee deep bog. The Mighty Greens finished the 5k race in 1:03:34, 173rd out of a field of 199.

Amelia at the Aquathon

Following a family walk up Snowdon Amelia was back in Sidmouth to take part in the Aquathon which involved a 50m swim and a 1k run along the esplanade and Ham. The swim and very quick change took 3 minutes and the run 5 minutes and saw Amelia finishing 36^th out of a field of 40.

Great to see parents getting involved too

It wasn’t long before Amelia was off again to meet fellow SRC juniors at the Bear Trail for an afternoon of fun, mud, obstacles and team building games.  Junior run leaders Donna and Grahame Womersley-Westlake and parent helpers had as much fun as the children as they tackled 30 obstacles in unlimited mud including bear nets, zip wires and tunnels.  Donna was very impressed with their technical footwork when they were running on the uneven ground and hopes to organise a return visit.

SRC Juniors enjoying the Bear Trail

As per the Sidmouth Running Club tradition of running from the Bowd on a 5^th Wednesday in a month, the adults enjoyed their run followed by a social with roast potatoes and a drink courtesy of the club.  This year the Juniors were able to partake in the tradition too and having enjoyed a 5-6.5k run through Harpford Woods including stinging nettles, mud and river crossings they were joined by their parents  to enjoy chips and drinks at the Bowd too.

Run done, ready for chips!