Alexa Baker running up part of a mountain at Lake Como, Italy.
![](https://www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Lake-Como.jpg)
Alexa Baker running up part of a mountain at Lake Como, Italy.
Atlantic coast challenge
Sarah Watkins, Jessica Raynor and Jo Earlam all took part in the Atlantic Coast Challenge, a three marathons in three days event which follows the coast line along North Cornwall.
Day one of the Atlantic Coast Challenge started North of Constantine Bay (near Padstow) and finished at Perranporth. Jo enjoyed every six hours and 54 minutes of it, especially the trek along a sandy beach at the end, where she decided to barefoot it through the sand and waves. Jessica and Sarah pulled ahead of Jo after the fist mile. Jessica had a fast pace gaining a time of 4h:29m and got in 5th. Sarah came in 119th with a time of 6h:27m:43s.
Atlantic Challenge day 2, (Perranporth to St Ives Bay Holiday Park). The ladies were welcomed to real North Cornish weather with horizontal rain and very strong blustering gales straight from the ocean! The route was also tough going with hills, steps, sand dunes and two miles of beach. Jo had some serious struggles with holding her hat down on her head every time the wind blew and then holding her leggings up as the elastic finally broke! However, considering her kit malfunctions her pace was quicker, shaving 30 minutes from the first day giving her 6h:21m:12s. Sarah came in a few minutes after at 6h:27m:55s. Jessica had an amazing race and an improved time, coming in at 4th position and first lady, with a great time of 4h:25m:16s.
Day 3 of the Atlantic Challenge and a beautiful sunrise. This section between St Ives Holiday Park and Lands End along the coastal path was rocky, hilly and almost 28 miles. . Jo lost her footing at mile 16 causing a gash to her hand and bruising to her leg, but it didn’t stop her for longer than it takes to enjoy the scenery and take some photos.
The first MG on the third day and for the third time, steaming into Lands End was Jessica Raynor in 6h:50m17s achieving a 21st position, Jo Earlam 114th in 8h:52m:36s who has now completed a total of 63 marathons and 119th for Sarah Watkins in 8m:56m:46s.
A huge effort by the three Mighty Green Ladies. After 80+ miles of tough running, Jessica managed a massive over all position of 7th. An evenly matched Sarah 105th and Jo 107th out of 165 finishers.
Two Moors Ultra
David Chipping and Jim Forrer took part in the Drogo Ultra. This run was part of the 2 Moors Ultra, which consists of the 100 miler, 50 miler, and 35 miler. David and Jim tackled the 35 miler. Due to this event being a self navigating ultra, it turned into a 38.2 miler and just as impressively it was 4888ft of elevation.
Aside from the stunning scenery, the guys were accompanied for almost the entire run by British legendary fell runner Nicky Spinks, who was recovering from her UTMR attempt a few weeks ago by running the 38 miles through Dartmoor. Nicky proved to be a fantastic running partner, providing tips, tricks and some added motivation throughout the race – it was amazing to have her with us! Els, Charlotte and accompanying children provided support and encouragement midway through the race and on the finish line
They were finished in just over 7h:28m with only minor injuries!
Abbi Lee Storms Bournemouth
Also a quick mention for Abbi Lee who completed the Bournemouth marathon on Saturday 6th of October, making it a big mileage weekend for SRC. Abbi made very good time of 4:51:18
Rocker Climbs The Three Peaks
On the 22nd of September Rocker Shepperd took The Mighty Green on The Tree Peaks Challenge. This epic endurance adventure takes the participant up the three highest peaks of the U.K. Starting in Scotland with Ben Nevis then on to Scafell Pike in the Lake District and finally Snowdon in North Wales. The total distance covered is around 42 kilometres (26 miles) with a total ascent of 9,800 feet (3,000 m). The challenge is to achieve all three peaks within 24 hours.
Rocker was part of a group of eight people who got together to take on this challenge and raise money for a local charity while doing it. The team chose to support Sidmouth Living With Cancer and consisted of Snowdon White (Gwenan Paewai) and the 7 Sids (Rodney Cross, Jud Lascelles, Mark Bishop, Rocker Shepard our Mighty Green, Ollie Derryman, and Jake Voss).
At this time of year it can get very cold at the top of these mountains. The weather can also change very quickly as Rocker was about to experience!! He was leading at the time and had not been up Ben Nevis before, with no footpath to follow and a white out to greet them at the top, navigation became difficult. However, he followed the marker stones that he’d read about up to the trig point. The Mighty Green shirt was worn with pride at the top of Ben Nevis.
A bite to eat en-route, some shut eye during the long drive down to the Lake district to Scafell Pike. They set off up Scafell Pike with fading light. At the top of the Pike, the Mighty Green was shown, but as it was wet and had a slight aroma, it was not worn. The distance covered on this mountain was 8.6km and took 2h:45m. By the time they arrived at the summit of Snowdon it was pitch black but distant lights from various towns could be seen. The MG running shirt was by now smelling rank! It was still wet, and was in no way fit for the owner to wear it!
All three mountains were completed in under the 24hours so Rocker and his team retreated to the comforts of The Red Lion for a debrief and well earned rest and drink.
If you wish to donate to their chosen charity then please visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/7sids
Exmouth 10K
A team of eight Mighty Greens took part in the Bradleys Exmouth 10k today. This event takes the competitors along the seafront and back, so it is a pancake flat race and is know for competitors to gain personal bests. The Sidmouth runners took full advantage of this venue and did themselves proud.
Theo Burgess was the first MG to cross the finish line taking a whole three minutes from his previous years time giving him a PB, a time of 39m:17s and a place of 10th over all. Next was Antony Hall blasting around in 39m:58s and 17th over the line. Tim clay did well in 66th position in 45m:05s with Sarah Chapham completing the run in 50m:05s giving her the 134th place.
Terry Bewes has been doing a lot of strengthening and stretch training this summer, was thrilled with his performance during this race. He managed to record 8.59 minute miles, with a timing of 55m:45s, a PB and a position of 228th. Another PB with Cheryl Boulton who spent some of her time keeping up with Terry until he shot off leaving her for dust! She got around in 57m:12s, rewarding her with 253rd past the post. David Skinner also managed a PB in 1h:03m:49s, 333rd over all. Julia Haddrell scooped up the 381st place in a respectable time of 1h:08:25. There were 435 competitors.
The 2018 Loch Ness Marathon
On Sunday 23 September at 6.45am, with the temperature down to 6 degrees, both Martin Truman and wife Kate were queing up with 2,910 other runners ready to board the coaches to take them to the start line of the Loch Ness Marathon for 10am. There were many nervous glances on the coach as they were driven west, along the 23 mile northern shore of Loch Ness, the competitors eyed the route back on the opposite southern shore with the anticipation of what was to come. The start line was quite high up above the Loch and could easily have been in the middle of Dartmoor. The road shut to traffic and a Scottish pipe band lead the way up for a long wait at the start line for all to assemble.
This Loch Ness Marathon quest all started in December 2017 with a message from Kate saying, “Happy Birthday Martin, think you need to lose a bit of weight! Your present is an entry to the Loch Ness Marathon in September. To sweeten the pain I’ve booked us both a long weekend in Inverness in a lovely hotel near the start, flights from Bristol included in your gift” She then announced that she had entered herself too. Training began and the discovery of all the green lanes, bridleways and paths of the Sid Valley and East Devon were made. The dog got double doses of long runs with each of them on consecutive days at the weekends.
East of Inverness by 26 miles is exactly where the novice Nessie first time marathon runner comes unstuck. Martin’s Loch Ness story was written in these first few miles. Traversing downhill for a couple of miles down to the shore of the Loch, then cruising on comfortably along the route is not necessarily a good idea. He knew he had not heeded the take your foot off the pedal from the start. When Martin reached the half way point, he realised he was on a PB time of just under 1 and 3/4 hours. At this point he was still feeling ok and beginning to think he could really do it in 4 hours. Then, two heavy rain showers and a two mile hill climb at the 19 mile mark, the nagging doubts were starting to creep in! With his pace dropping off and a hamstring cramp kicking in, Martin hobbled on, but he could swear someone was pulling him back, like a tug of war but with him on the wrong end of a rope! Martin kept going, despite the pain he sprinted to the finish line, almost beating the 4 hour target. He crossed the line just 14 seconds over four hours. Martins final position was a top third in the field of 893th.
Kate on the other hand, being the more sensible family member, ran a more measure pace in her maiden marathon, running home in 5.05 to great cheers and with much pride. She was in far better shape than her husband at the finish line and raised £730 for Prostate Cancer research.
Dornafield 10k
On the 23rd of September, Emma Grainger took part in The Dornafield 10k ladies race, helping raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK. The event was organised by Teignbridge Trotters and this was it’s 21st year. The race started at the Dornafield Caravan and Camping Site at 11am and followed a scenic course along undulating rural lanes, passing through the local hamlets of Ogwell and Denbury, finishing back at the campsite.
Emma was the only Mighty Green to take part this year, coming in 151st over all, with a much improved time of 1:10:30, Knocking a whopping 10 minutes off her previous attempt last year!
Bovey Beauty
Don Cawthera and Debbie Marriott took part in the Bovey Beauty on Sunday 23rd of September. This grade ‘B’ fell race was held in conjunction with The Woodland Trust and Natural England and was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and The Moor Than Meets The Eye Landscape Partnership. It was organised by The Fell Runners Association.
The Bovey Beauty 10 mile fell race was a very scenic route, involving woodlands, open more-land, riverside paths and many other terrains. It took the runners through some of the most rugged and remote areas of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve. Starting in the woods of the Bovey Valley at 11am just as the rain stopped falling, they climbed up to Lustleigh Cleave on the first of the 1800ft of inclines. Then onto Hunters Tor at the head of the valley, returning via the rare Western Oak Woods on the southern side of the valley over Houndtor ridge and onto Trendlebere Down before returning to the start in Pullabrook Wood.
Don and Debbie knew it would be a tough run to complete. The organisers deliberately keep the number of competitors under 100 and as an elite field. So Don and Debbie were happy just to keep one or two people between us and the back marker. Both Debbie and Don enjoyed the race so much, that they are planning to go back again next year.
Solo Mighty Green Terry Takes On The Stockland Scamper.
The Stockland Scamper was organised by the Stockland Primary Academy PTFA in association with Axe Valley Runners. It was a typical Axe Valley route with plenty of up’s and down’s in very scenic East Devon countryside. During the race briefing the competitors were informed that due to the overnight heavy rainfall, that the route was very wet, so with the hilly route, it would be slippery underfoot. This turned out to be an enormous understatement!
As if the race organisers had planned it, the rain stopped falling just as the race was to start. All 90 Scampers set off from the Stockland Village Hall at 10am, on the 23rd of September to a break in the weather. The turnout of 31 seniors (including Terry Bewes), competed in the 10k along with 59 Juniors in the 3k were all sent on their way, into the muddy and wet Stockland countryside. The first lane had turned into a river overnight, the stoney tracks were like a slippery ice rinks, as were the narrow wooden bridges and styles. Even in the fields, the torrential rain had dispersed the cow pats so the whole field was covered in a slippery smelly mess, but it was great fun. The last half mile was an especially tough climb! Before this point the Scamps had been lulled into a false sense of ‘being nearly back’. This hill came just when Terry thought it should be all downhill to the finish. During this last hill climb, Terry saw one runner ahead and decided to go all out, full steam ahead! He succeeded, passed her by and lost the wooden spoon position, but restored honour to the Mighty Green. Terry’s word of the race…”Brutal”!
Terry Bewes was the only Mighty Green Scamp sliding his way to the finish line, making it round in 1:09:47 and giving him a slippery 30th place and 1st M70. No sooner had Terry and the last runner crossed the line, the rain fell again. So, with the Stockland weather report done, a special thank you goes to Emma Parris and her team and to the great number of marshals who stuck it out in the soggy conditions.