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.

A Very Memorable 20^th Anniversary Four Trigs Challenge

How many entrants checked their emails on Sunday morning to see if the Four Trigs had been cancelled? With winds gusting at 48mph and driving rain the weather certainly played its’ part in making the 20^th anniversary fell race memorable especially for the organisers, Marion and Robert Hayman. Supporting the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), since 2015, the event was started in 2001 by Nick Keast. The 4 Trigs has only been cancelled twice: once due to Storm Ciara in 2020 and secondly, due to the pandemic in 2021.

A bit wet

This ‘low-key’ off-road running event covers a distance of approximately 28km with an obscene amount of climb involved. Underfoot is mixed terrain, mainly dirt trails, but with some grass and gravel not to mention steps, tree roots and some drainage gutters on the route as well as some steep sections of climb and fast descents. This year we had additional water coming off the fields creating rivers to run down especially coming into Sidbury but it did clean our trainers off!

4 Trigs Group

The aim is to visit each of the four Triangulation Pillars around the Sid Valley with runners choosing their own routes but they must visit each Trig Point in order (High Peak was first this year) taking in the 5 Check points to help taper the route.

This year a new app, MapRun6 was encouraged which enabled a staggered start which worked well especially with the wild conditions as the runners didn’t have to wait around getting colder and wetter.

Sidmouth Running Club came out in force though the Mighty Green shirts were well hidden under waterproofs! Out of a field of 125 finishers, 42 were Mighty Greens, 31 completing all 4 Trigs and 11 ran 3 Trigs. Antony Hall was the first SRC runner over the line, 10^th overall in 2:46:03, with fellow MG David Knapman hot on his heels, 11^th overall in 2:46:41. An astounding result, showing grit, determination and good balancing skills in those conditions.

Fire Beacon Hill

Julia Haddrell who ran 3 Trigs summed her run up by saying, “We ran through streams, chased our hats, fell over in the mud and laughed-what a memorable day.”

A bit slippy

Sidmouth Running Club would like to thank the organisers and marshals who were stood out in the same weather conditions as they were running in but remained cheerful and encouraging. A special mention and thank you must go to the sponsors of the event. Nigel Winchester, of Ian Winchesters and Sons, who not only provided the bananas, he served them too, on top of East Hill. Richard king of Kings Garden and Leisure, sponsored the special 20^th Anniversary celebratory mugs and also provided delicious flapjack and brownies at the finish.

Marion and Robert are delighted to announce that The four Trigs has managed to raise £2,302.00  for  CRY this year which brings the total over the last 8 years to £11,562 and thanks everyone for their generosity.

4 Trigs Results 2022.

Antony Hall 2:46:03 10th o/a

David Knapman 2:46:41 11^th o/a

Richard Summerhayes 3:04:43

Tom Knight 3:05:19

Ross Walton 3:27:54

David Chipping 3:29:14

Martin Truman 3:36:54

Catherine Hilton 3:45:07

Charlotte Forrer 3:49:00

Jim Forrer 3:49:06

Sam Ingram 4:03:01

Simon Hollyer 4:05:16

Mark Andow 4:05:26

Chris Heywood 4:05:31

Martin Barnard 4:09:32

Lynda Hawkins 4:11:10

Rachel Barnard 4:11:44

Becky McDonald 4:12:08

Sarah Ginsberg 4:12:37

Graham Sheppard 4:24:32

Richard King 4:29:14

Mark Norton 4:32:59

Becky Procter 4:33:38

Cath Miller 4:35:26

Naomi Garrick 4:39:18

John Keast 4:40:54

Debbie Cawthera 5:15:19

Don Cawthera 5:15:19

Cathy Keast 5:15:19

Helen Palmer 5:15:19

David Welsh 6:30:00

3 Trigs

Alexa Baker, Terry Bewes, Ann Cole, Christine and Karen Farnham,

Julia Haddrell, Carol Hounsell, Brigid McEleney-Smith, Kerry Salter, Sarah Watkins, David Wright

A Weekend Of Wild Nights, Driving Rain, Hilly Challenges and Cross Country Running

Even though dubbed ‘The SW’s toughest night race’, Martin Barnard had a lot of fun on Saturday as he took part in the Wild Night Run on Dartmoor. Wearing the Mighty Green, Martin encountered rocks, bogs and strong winds as he ran from South Brent up onto the moors twice during the 10 mile route. With 525m of climb he said it was good training for the upcoming 4 Trigs and out of 63 finishers came 19^th in 1:35:00. The winning time was 1:23:00 showing what a close run race it was.

Martin at the Wild Night Run

Taking on the 50km North to South crossing of Dartmoor, MG’s Bex McDonald, Mark Andow, Simon Hollyer and Adrian Harris set off from Oakhampton at 7.30am on Sunday in the rain and 60mph winds. A great test of endurance, wearing full waterproofs and a packed rucksack Bex said it was more a trek than a run. She had never experienced winds like it, driving in from the West all day and the barren saturated terrain felt relentless at times. With Adrian navigating the way they arrived in Ivybridge after dark and were incredibly happy to see their ride home.

MGs on the Dartmoor Traverse

Nine SRC members took part in the Axmouth Challenge on a very breezy Sunday morning. This friendly village event offered a 1, 3, 5 or 9 mile option and it was great to see the children proudly wearing their medals afterwards. A 2 mile uphill start isn’t ideal but didn’t stop Shaun Tipton storming off and he had a cracking run finishing 6^th in the 5 mile race in 53:09. Head coach Kyle Baker took the opportunity to get some miles in for his Grizzly training and was the first MG home in the 9 mile race in 1:28:10. All the club runners enjoyed the route which took them along tarmac, tracks and muddy fields to places they had never been before. The marshals were very encouraging despite standing in some very windy spots and the refreshments at the end were amazing-soup, bacon rolls, and homemade cakes…what hills?!?

Axmouth Challenge Team

Results 5 miles Shaun Tipton 53:09, Carol Hounsell 1:00:09, Alexa Baker 1:03:32, Terry Bewes 1:04:11 9 miles Kyle Baker 1:28:10, Christine Farnham 1:32:44, Karen Farnham 1:34:35, Christy Ward 1:51:13, John Sharples 1:51:14

Vets XC group

The SW Vets Cross Country Championship was held on Sunday afternoon around the sports pitches at Sidford. Despite it being quite soft underfoot and beginning to tire towards the end, Mighty Green Antony Hall finished in 6^th place overall and 2^nd in his age category 40-44. In fact 5 of the 7 Sidmouth Running Club members came in the top 3 of their age categories; Arthur Vince finished 1^st in 75+, Gail Goldsmith finished 2^nd in 70-74 with Marion Johnson 3^rd and David King 3^rd in 65-69 age group.

Results Antony Hall 23:28, David King 28:38, Gail Goldsmith 38:01, Colin Flood 38:11, Marion Johnson 38:11, Tony Velterop 41:33, Arthur Vince 57:54

New Club Record and PB for Mighty Green Kirsteen Welch

With an average pace of 5:25 minute miles, Kirsteen Welch smashed her 10k PB on Sunday at the Speedway 10k, finishing in 33:49 minutes.

Kirsteen flying

The Mighty Green, who travelled up to Beachley, Gloucestershire to compete in the flat and fast 10k, was absolutely buzzing to hear she ran sub 34 minutes, testament that her dedication to training is paying off. Kirsteen currently fits in work around running 100 miles a week including an early morning run along the seafront to kick start her day.

Her fantastic run has also broken the SRC 10k record which stood at 34:20. The club looks forward to following and supporting this inspirational runner in the months ahead.