Ottery Rail and River

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Otter Rail and River 10k.

The 2018 Otter Rail and River Run organised by Jo Earlam and the Tipton Playing Field Association and took place on Saturday 14th of July. It was sponsored by Harrison-Lavers and Potbury, Michelmores Solicitors, Otter Brewery and The Good Pub Guide.

Being a very hot day with temperatures in the higher 20’s, this years race has earned the nickname of the H-Otter Rail River Run. It made for a very challenging run, with hardened and very dusty tracks.

This race started by circling the cricket pitch and heading towards the carpark, it then crossed the road and follows the path along the river heading down stream towards Newton Poppleford. It then crosses the river to Hartford and into Harpford woods up to the old railway bridge. Then climbing the steps up and following the old railway track back into Tipton. The route then heads to Sargent Mill over the bridge and heads off towards Fluxton, along a lane heading back towards Tipton, across a field and bridge to enter the top of the playing field and a sprint to the finish. It is an undulating off-road run with many of challenges. In this years race due to the extreme hot weather a shortened route for those finding it to much has been introduced. Those who wish to, were able to do a 7km route.

There were 24 Sidmouth runners who took part in this event with Sam Ingram, Hamish Spence (myself) and Nick Dicks battling it out at the front for the first part of the race. Finally, Nick took off just after the first water stop and Sam left me behind along the old railway line. With Sarah Clapham and Tim Swarbrick hot on my heals I knew my pace would need to be maintained. Also, to close for comfort and not far behind, were Christine and Karen Farnham who are very well matched. They spent the whole race fighting it out for supremacy and as usual, it’s always left to the last few yards for a high octane sprint to the finish line. David Miller and Shaun Tipton must have witnessed the twins as they both fought it out around this route.

The next group of battling Mighty Greens were Dave Wright, Colin Flood, Paula Farrand, Suzi Rocky and Jennifer Bentley. Not far behind and trying to close the gap were John Doherty, Micheal Ginberg, Samantha Dicks and Jane Powell.

Toughing it out and sweeping up at the tail end with determination were Richard Hedger, Rachel Burrow, Sarah Ginsberg, David Skinner, Lara Miilmow and Emma Grainger all of which showed us how to do a sprint finish.

The 1st Sidmouth runner back was Nick Dicks 49:48, 2nd, Sam Ingram 52:08, 3rd Hamish Spence with a time of 53:27, and then Sarah Clapham 54:28, Tim Swarbrick 55:20, Christine Farnham 56:46,Karen Farnham 56:48, David Millen 57:27, Shaun Tipton 58:49, Dave Wright 1:01:04, Colin Flood 1:01:32, Paula Farrand 1:03:43, Suzi Rockey 1:03:43, Jennifer Bentley 1:03:44, John Doherty 1:04:13, Michael Ginsberg 1:05:35, Samantha Dicks 1:05:27, Jane Powell 1:05:34, Richard Hedger 1:07:47,Rachel Burrow 1:10:46, Sarah Ginsberg 1:11:20, David Skinner 1:13:08, Lara Millmow 1:15:44, Emma Grainger 1:16:20

Ultra Marathon

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Ham and Lyme 100k/50k Ultra Marathon

Sidmouth Running Club members Sarah Watkins (who did the 50km version) and Jessica Raynor and Danny Painter, were in action at the Ham and Lyme 100 Ultra.
This ultra marathon is follows the stunning Liberty Trail, between Lyme Regis and Ham Hill Country Park in Somerset for the 50km and then back for the 100km.
The competitors for the 100km set off from Lyme at 7am, the 50km runners from Ham Hill at 9:30.
In temperatures reaching in excess of 30 degrees in the middle of the day, it made running extremely uncomfortable, so it was soon realised, that any plans for personal bests on the time keeping front, would have to be revised back to survival mode for the duration.
Keeping the brain awake for map reading in the heat was a task in its self! However, thanks to the food stations being fantastic, the Red Arrows being in the neighbourhood and stunning views the miles were covered and the race completed.
Danny finished a splendid seventh in 13:20:30 while Jessica was eighth in 13:34:57 and second lady across the finish line.
Sarah Watkins arrived at the finish line in 7:44:08 giving her an over all position of 113th.

WoodlandRelays

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Sidmouth Hosts the Woodland Relays

A sunny summer evening welcomed runners from local clubs for the annual invitation event, the Woodland Relays, which was hosted this year by Sidmouth Running Club on Salcombe Hill on 20th June. Having initially expected 30 teams the Club was delighted with the turnout of 63 teams of three people from local running clubs such as Axe Valley, Honiton, and Exmouth, as well as teams from the Met Office, Dukes, Cranbrook Scouts and many others. All ages and abilities were catered for with Under 11 teams such as ‘The Young Coyotes’ and ‘Cos Girls Can Run’ competing over the short course whilst the aptly named ‘210 Years and Counting’ team from Sidmouth Running Club took on the long course.

 

Sidmouth Running Club Chairman, Terry Bewes, thanked the many club members involved in organising and supporting the event. ‘Many members ran for their club including some from this year’s beginners group and we were delighted with Toby Garrick who was the fastest senior male over the long course. But a huge ‘well done’ also needs to go to all the helpers, from those that set out the course, to the marshals, the timer and number recorder, water providers, photographer, First Aid support and most popular, the catering crew who rose to the occasion and provided an awesome array of cakes and bakes.’

Zwolle 1/2Marathon

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Last Saturday Bert Dykema took part in the Zwolle half marathon.
“It was held on the city centre of the city of Zwolle in the east of The Netherlands. 4500 people took part and the city was closed of for traffic, bands were playing along the route and there were thousands of supporters along the route. The event was held in the evening ( 8:30 pm ). It had been a sweltering day and temperatures were still well above comfortable running weather! It was my first half marathon and I did struggle! But I did it, two hours 25 minutes!”

Stockholm

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Tony at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm. “I know it’s not the other side of the world but I have showed off the Mighty Green in Stockholm while watching the marathon in 28 degrees. It was very hot for the runners. Lots of questions from spectators, `Where is Sidmouth?’”.

Ultra Hot

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Ultra Hot for David on Dartmoor

Whilst many of the Sidmouth Running Club’s women were taking a deep breath after their stellar efforts in the Women Can marathon, one of the men decided it was time to test himself. David Chipping took on the Dartmoor Discovery 34 Mile Ultra run on 2nd June. This year was the 20th anniversary of the race which is organised by Teignbridge Trotters and is known amongst ultra runners as the UK’s longest single lap road ultra marathon.

The race starts and finishes in Princetown but takes in many spectacular Dartmoor sites (and hills) as it passes through Dartmeet, Poundsgate, Newbridge, Ashburton, Buckland, Widecombe, and Postbridge. David Chipping was one of 186 runners who managed to complete the race despite the very hot conditions, and was the only runner from Sidmouth to take the challenge. ‘I managed it in 6h12m’, said David, ‘it was a great run, but very hot and very hilly – 4000ft of climb’.

 

 

Meanwhile the Club’s record breaking fancy dress runner trialled a new outfit in a half marathon in Manchester. Naomi Garrick cast aside the famed wedding dress, and settled down in a nice little house outfit for a half marathon in Manchester. She was raising money for the Ronald McDonald House charity which supports families with children in hospital by providing accommodation. ‘The house costume fell down twice during the run’ said Naomi, ‘but I managed to cross the line in 2h09m and I raised around £600!’

 

 

 

Sidmouth Running Club is now making preparations for hosting the annual Woodlands Relay Races on 20th June. The Woodland Relays are a series of races between East Devon clubs with each taking it in turn to organise a venue of their choice. Club runners will form teams of three and each will complete either a 1.2k or a 3.4k loop on the top of Salcombe Hill before handing over to the next team member. With lots of different categories of entry it’s a low key fun event where finisher’s cake is more sought after than prizes.
More info at www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk