Helen in Lanzarote
![](https://www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Helen-Palmer-in-Lanzarote.jpg)
Helen in Lanzarote
Jane Hemsworth at Lake Bled, Slovenia.
The ‘Killer’ Killerton Half, 10k and 5k.
On Sunday 16th September in the morning, four Sidmouth runners competed in The Killerton 10k race, Antony and Kat Hall having only just done the Nightjar the evening before were joined by David Skinner and Jane Hemsworth for this event.
This stunning off road, multi terrain 5k,10k, canicross and half marathon event takes place in the beautiful grounds of the National Trust estate at Killerton, also home to one of Exeter’s Park Runs. There was a good mixture of terrain on the 10k including fields, woodlands, some flat levels and a variety of hills… nearly 1000ft of inclines, keeping the route exciting and giving it the name of The Killer! With the ground still dry underfoot and a cooling but not cold breeze, conditions were perfect for the race.
Antony did remarkably well considering the previous evening’s race and the severity of this hilly route. He was very happy with taking 2nd in age group and 5th over all, with a time of 48m:59s. I think you should take the day off tomorrow Antony, have a rest.
Jane Hemsworth completed the route in an impressive 1h:04m. Kat did really well with a 1h:14m:16s especially having also run the evening before! She finished in 103rd out of 200 women. David Skinner took 1h:22m:09s and came in at the 275th position whilst wearing the competitor number 275…Spooky!
The Darkness Of ‘The Nightjar’ 10k
On the evening of 15th September, 11 members of Sidmouth Running Club having dusted off and powered up their head touches stood poised, ready for a blast around The Pebble-bed Heathland of Woodbury Common and all under the cover of darkness. The Nightjar event was organised by Flying Fox Running with the venue for the start and finish being at Bicton Arena as access to the Common is very close.
The sun had gone down and darkness had taken over! The dogs were whimpering and barking in anticipation, their owners holding the four legged friends back. All were lined up, ready for what may come.
Nine human Mighty Green runners with one Canine runner named Freddie the crazy Lurcher opted for the shorter distance of five miles and two ladies taking on the full nine and a quarter miles. The long race competitors along with Janice Ranson and Susie Perry who has returned to running recently after a very serious injury were first away. The ever-so over excited and very noisy Muttley Crew were next to go off into the night. Jo Earlam battled it out with a large Alsatian who did not want to allow Freddie to pass! Then the five mile race was up and away. Antony Hall made a very nifty get away, Hamish Spence tried to follow, but was blocked in by a wall of runners for the first hundred yards, the other seven Mighty Greens used the beginning to get warmed up and they settled in to the run at a steady pace. Bert Dykema and Paula Farrand teamed up as did Terry Bewes, Laura Broughton, Julia Haddrell and Kat Hall
The routes were challenging with plenty of variety in terrain, very dry and dusty with the odd rut or pebble to avoid. We had moonlight for short spells, but it was very dark through the woodlands. The course was very well marked out with glow sticks and the water stops were well stocked with sweets and nibbles, with water being served in environmentally friendly paper cups.
For the five mile race Antony Hall was the first Mighty Green runner back. He came third over all with a very fast time of 35m:36s. Next in was Hamish Spence, who bagged 18th over all and a first over the line for age category (MV50) in 46m:02s. Next in came Paula Farrand, looking in good form and still laughing at running buddy Bert Dykema who had mistakenly headed back towards the carpark instead of the finish line.
Paula came 45th with a good time of 57m:46s and Bert who dropped a place, but still looked happy came 47th with a time of 58m:01s. Out of the darkness appeared The Gang of Four taking positions 57,58,59 and 60, in order of appearance was Kat Hall 1:02:17, Laura Broughton 1:02:28, Terry Bewes 1:02:30 and Julia Haddrell who smashed her own average times to get in on 1h:03m:15s. The first and only Sidmouth canine past the post was obviously Freddie very closely followed by owner Jo Earlam in 01:00:16, Freddie looked ready to go again. The two ladies taking on the long race did really well, Susie Perry flew around the course in an amazing 1:38:23 coming 27th, followed in very closely by Janice Ranson in 33rd position and a good timing of 1:44:21. Sidmouth Running Club excelled themselves in sending the biggest team to The Nightjar on the night and received a jug of sweets.
The Bacchus Wine Marathon in Surrey
The Bacchus Wine half and full marathons are combined into a sociable fancy dress and wine tasting event. Three Mighty Green/Pink Sidmouth ladies took part, Helen Palmer doing the half, whilst Jane Hemsworth and Jo Earlam took on the full marathon. Jane is celebrating a landmark Birthday soon and this is Jo’s 60th marathon, so a fifties/sixties style kit was made.
The first third of the route was tough going, so with the tight cut off time of 2 and a half hours on the full marathon Jo and Jane steered clear of the wine, or so they say! Jane suffered a fall, got stung by a feisty wasp and there were chafing issues with the modified pink kit, and all before the halfway point! With their spirits revived sting and cuts treated, Jo and Jane got on with the task of the second lap.
Meanwhile, Helen was taking full advantage of the on course entertainment with music, wine and nibbles at every water (I mean wine) stop. She also enjoyed being with the other 2000 sociable half marathoners, including Chris Evans and Vassos Alexander who were both in her wave at the start line. Jo and Jane missed out on the main party, making do with under 200 other full distance runners.
Helen completed the half in 2h:37m and enjoyed more wine and the hog roast, leaving Jo and Jane to cross the finish line in 5h:06m, coming in 95th and 96th respectively, both ladies added on the extra distance to finish the 26.2 Miles in 5h:27m.
Sidbury Fun Run
Five Mighty Green Sidmouth runners took part in The Sidbury Fun Run on Sunday. Rachel Burrows, Sarah and Michael Ginsberg, Paula and Amelie Farrand spent part of a warm, sunny Sunday morning running in and around the grounds of The Manor House. Paula and Amelie won the First Local and Open girl and lady.
A Sting In The Tale At Michelmores Charity Run.
David Skinner took part in the Michelmores Exeter 5K Charity Run on Thursday 6th of September. This annual event is now in its 18th year and the proceeds are being donated to The Amber Foundation, a charity that helps young homeless unemployed people get back on their feet.
Congestion at the start line on The Cathedral Green meant that David got off very slowly. However, he soon broke away from the ruck, progressing around the route, picking up speed and passing other competitors. Then disaster struck half way through Northernhay Gardens! David had several other runners closing in on him when a wasp flew into his air space and stung him near his right eye! The impact and reaction of the irritated insect caused David to swipe at it, knocking his glasses to the ground. He lost time here while looking for the glasses and even more time getting checked over by a first aider. Due to all this excitement, David’s time was still a respectable 33m04s coming in 727th out of 950 runners.
On Saturday the 1st September Jo Earlam completed the City To Sea Marathon. This brings Jo’s total to 59 completed marathons and was the third time competing in this very tough competition.
This 26.6 mile marathon is deceptive in that the first section from the start line in Exwick to Cockwood and Dawlish Warren is a flat trek along the River Exe, Exeter Canal and Exe Estuary. During section two between Cockwood and Shaldon the hills start to kick in, softening up the legs for the real work to come later. Stage three and leaving Sheldon behind is where the hard work really starts, with a steep climb up a monster hill above Ness Cove, Smugglers Cove and Labrador Bay. The undulating coastal path doesn’t let up with the pain inducing hills, as it follows the coastal route all the way to Babbacombe Downs.
Jo found section three really tough, especially the steps which are very steep and seem to go on for ever! However, she had kept something in the tank for the last six miles and with determination and grit, she still managed to pass by a lot of other runners, whilst not allowing others to pass her. Then, during the last two hundred yards just before the finish line, one runner trotted past her as if he was just starting the race! He encouraged her to sprint for the line with him. It turned out that whilst she had just completed the marathon and was on the floor, he had finished the ultra and seemed ready to go again.
Jo finished with a very good time of 5h:57m:14s, coming 90th. This was not as fast as the previous year but better than 2016. Her well earned reward for the long and arduous race was Fish and chips at Hanbury’s Fish Restaurant
Kat Gets Membership Number Two Hundred
This Bank holiday Monday evening saw an historic moment in the club when the Chairman, Terry Bewes welcomed our 200th fully paid up member of the year. This came around after several weeks of an anticipated landmark point for Sidmouth Running Club. Kat Hall, who has been running alone for a while and had been put off from joining a club, out of fear of being left behind. Her husband Antony a club member and marathon runner kept telling her how the club supported runners off all ages and abilities. He encouraged her to give it a try and on Monday evening she did. Meeting at Joney’s Cross she joined in with seventeen other members for a 5 mile run over Alyesbere Common led by John and Ben Chesters.
After the evening run, she said that she had really enjoyed it, had received a warm welcome from all and was now looking forward to running regularly with the club. She thanked all present for the flowers and wine presented to her to mark the occasion.
The Sidmouth Running club is a friendly club, has an inclusive outlook giving encouragement and support to all no matter what the running ability of the individual. Terry offers an open invitation to all those who will be running the streets of Sidmouth during the winter months, whether they run alone or with others. Why not come along and try a couple of evening runs with the club on either a Monday or Wednesday 7pm from the sailing club from Monday 17th September.
Deb and Don in the Azores.