WELCOME TO HONITON RUNNING CLUB

We are based in Honiton, East Devon, Southwest England and spend our lives running through some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK.
HRC Events

Blackdown Beast 
Cancelled for 2021

Honiton Hippo

Sept 2021
Ottery 10K 
Provisional
​June 2021
Blackdown Beauty
Provisional
​July 2021

Payhembury
​Duathlon
TBD

Parkrun
Report of all HRC runs last Saturday here
Killerton here
Exeter here
​Seaton here
​Exmouth here
Instep Devon Championship
2019 Results
Club Charity
2020
Steve Crompton
Run Across Africa
Honiton Sports Shop
offers members 10% discount upon production of HRC card. Click here 
Latest News: Back in lockdown 
​Now we are back in lockdown we can no longer meet as a club. We have restarted virtual events so watch out for the emails or Facebook posts.

Pip has just tested positive for COVID-19 despite not having had any of the symptoms the government warns us to watch for ie no high temperature, or coughing and still had her sense of taste and smell. So the suggestion seems to be to go and get tested if you basically feel rotten based on Pip's experience.
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CapTEN
On Sunday, 25th October several Honiton Running Club Members took on Bridport Runners  CapTEN, a 10 mile registered fell run taking in Thorncombe Beacon (twice) and Golden Cap - the 2 highest points on the South West Coast with 2,400 feet of climbing. The majority of the route follows the South West Coastal Path over National Trust Land starting and finishing in Seatown. The race was socially distanced with no aid stations and one runner being set off every 30 seconds. It was a blustery day with some very localised rain storms and some runners got a drenching whilst others remained dry. Mark Newson led HRC home coming 12th overall in 1 hour 38 minutes. He was followed by Mark Dallyn who finished 20th in 1:42. Judy Davey was the first HRC lady back coming 24th overall in 1:46:05. Judy’s husband Steve was next back coming just one place and 30 seconds later. Rebecca Stevens followed coming 42nd in 1:59 having taken a few photos of the stunning scenery along the way. Howard Bidmead came 48th in 2:04 and Janice Newson was 54th in 2:11. The winner was Christian Green in 1:14 and there were 70 finishers. This was a particularly well organised race in unusual circumstances. The marshals were well briefed and supportive and the course was well marked. 
Plym Trail Marathon and Half and Exmoor Trail Marathon & Half
The Plym Trail is situated in the Dartmoor National Park with the HQ at Clearbrook, Plymouth and the stunning views of the forests and valleys are breathtaking.  On Sunday, 18th October, Honiton Running Club’s Olivia Killen took on the Half Marathon distance and was delighted to finish in 2 hours 22 minutes not having run that distance since March. Stephen Boyes not only tackled the Marathon but he completed it on Saturday, 17th October and again the day after, on Sunday. He completed day one in 3:41 and day two just 6 minutes slower.
On Saturday, 17th October the Exmoor Trail runs took place. These are outstanding races within the beautiful and exhilarating Exmoor National Park. The races’ HQ is in Lynton in the famous Lorna Doone valley. Shane Hudd took on this very tough marathon finishing in just over 7 hours coming 44th overall. The race was won by Pieter Henning in 4:38 and there were 67 finishers. The race included 5,400 ft of climb. Mark Dallyn completed the Half and for most of the runners the distance was extended by about 4 miles, although Mark managed to run a few extra scenic miles on top of this eventually finishing after completing 18.5 miles in 3: 48. He was 69th place with 156 finishers. The winner was Mark Lamb who completed the distance in 2:38. 

North Devon AONB Half and Marathon
Racing has been off the agenda for most runners since March but 4 Honiton Running Club members signed up to the North Devon AONB  Half and Marathon which took place on Sunday, 27th September. The organisers had all the necessary protocols in place to ensure a Covid secure experience for everyone concerned. Runners were set off in waves and chip timing ensured that the racer’s position and time could be accurately recorded.
Rebecca Stevens set off 10 minutes behind Steve Davey but came in just nine minutes behind meaning she had actually beaten Steve in the race. Rebecca  finished in 2 hours 9 minutes in 58th place whilst Steve finished in 2:10 minutes just 3 places after her. The Half was won by Ronnie Richmond in 1:24 and there were 197 finishers. Alasdair Moffett took on the Marathon finishing in 4:13 coming 9th overall.  Shane Hudd also ran the Marathon finishing in 5:47 coming 72nd. The race was won by Kyle Darragh in a time of 3:49. There were 83 runners. HRC’s Howard Bidmead has been back marking this race for a number of years and 2020 was no exception and this year he finished in about 4 hours.
The race boasts stunning views but it is also extremely challenging with 1500 ft of climb for the Half and over 3700 ft for the full Marathon. This multi-terrain race starts and finishes  in Woolacombe and all money raised goes to North Devon Hospice. 

Honiton Hippo is cancelled for 2020 it is planned to hold next event in Sep 2021
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Grizzly & Cub
This year’s Grizzly races were called ‘Hills Aplenty’ but it could just have easily been ‘Mud Aplenty’. Following the extremely wet weather we have had now for several weeks everywhere was very slippery and boggy; that’s as well as the bogs that are meant to be there! Everyone who had taken part in previous years agreed that it was the hardest yet. Coupled with the extra mile added on compared to last year making it a full 20 miles; it meant finish times were significantly slower than usual. Honiton Running Club managed a turnout of about 50 runners taking part in either the Grizzly or the Cub.  First back for HRC was Nick Silkstone who was careful to start steadily and work through the pack to finish sub 3 hours in 58th place in 2 hours 57 minutes. First lady back for HRC was Sherrie Hair who came 11th lady, 121st overall in 3:14. This was Thomas Lilley’s first Grizzly as he has been too young but he did really well to finish 257th in 3:36
Other HRC runners were 83rd Greg Morris 3:06, 99th Mike Mears 3:10, 174th Tom Bornet 3:23, 260th Judy Davey 3:36, 261st Alun Gwernan Jones 3:37, 282nd Stephen Boyes 3:40, 338th Steve Davey 3:47, 361st Jo Buxton 3:49, 443rd Richard Harvey 3:58, 464th Sharon Wells 4:00, 482nd Johnny Bennett 4:02, 524th Pippa Westall 4:04, 541st Tim Wigram 4:08, 550th Paula Ferris 4:09, 575th Simon Spiller 4:13, 620th Richard Harris 4:18, 680th Lyn Grady 4:22, 700th Rachel Hennessey 4:26, 709th Rebecca Stevens 4:28, 891st Mark Andow 4:47, 1152nd Nicola Knight 5:21, 1255th Nicola Greenland 5:36, 1256th Teresa Pollard 5:36, 1323rd Richard Kemp 5:52, 1324th Anna Dalzell 5:54, 1325th Michelle Selley 5:52, 1326th Steve Selley 5:53 and finishing the HRC line-up was Rachel Mandrupson and Wendy Hawker who ran together finishing 1408th in 6:10. The race was won by Wayne Loveridge of Chard Road Runners in 2:26 and there were 1462 finishers.
First back for HRC in the 9 mile cub race was Ceri Oak who was 4th lady and 26th overall in 1:25. Other HRC runners were 33rd Louise Bennett 1:28, 137th Jennie Sleeman 1:47, 152nd Darren Roberts 1:47, 156th Andy Ashford 1:47, 163rd Jenny Lidster 1:49, 170th Rachel Gair 1:49, 202nd Julian Gigg 1:53, 253rd Simon Bates 1:59, 323rd Olivia Killen 2:08, 324th Emma Davey 2:08, 325th Alan Nicholls 2:09, 370th Denis Costello 2:15, 397th Claire Rouse 2:17, 398th Luke Holway 2:17, 407th Pip Vanham 2:18, 408th Vanessa Knowles 2:19, 409th Debbie Vinnicombe 2:19 and 412th Clare Melbourne 2:37. The winner was Toby de Gruchy of Sidmouth Running Club in 1:07 and there were 587 finishers.  
Thanks to everyone from Axe Valley Runners who helped organise these epic races as well as all the marshals, landowners and everyone else who helped make the events go so smoothly. Thanks too to all the spectators along the route for their incredible support.  
Birthday celebrations - Happy 20th Honiton Running Club!
Seaton Park Run & Birthday Party
​Honiton Running Club celebrated its 20th birthday on 29th February. Club members began the day by taking part in Seaton Park Run en masse with 52 members, including several children, running the seafront swelling the numbers to 265 finishers. Although not a race, the first HRC runner back was Steve Page who came 8th in 20 minutes 17 seconds. Ceri Oak was the first lady back for Honiton coming 3rd lady and 31st overall in 22:33. Celebrations did not stop there as the Club held a party at Honiton Golf Club in the evening. There were past photos on display with some dating right back to the year 2000. The Club even recruited the services of the band, Voodoo 7, which has HRC member David Perkins as  guitar player. HRC had taken a gamble booking the band without hearing anything they had played! The gamble payed off with everyone thoroughly enjoying the music and filling the dance floor right from the start of the evening. Wile E. Coyote, the Club’s Mascot, also joined in and there was a competition to guess the number of miles he had covered since 29th June when he had begun running again after a significant amount of time off due to injury (squashed in a shed)! He has completed 214 miles and Johnny Bennett was the winner winning half the takings of the competition with the other half going to the Donkey Sanctuary Charity. This charity was chosen as club member, Sharon Wells, is running London Marathon on behalf of this charity. This was by way of a thank you to Sharon who had made the amazing birthday cake. The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thank you to everyone who was involved in organisation but especially Paula Ferris; without whom the evening would not have taken place as she did the vast majority of the organisation fully supported and helped by her husband, Adam.  
February Handicap - well done Hadleigh!
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Dalwood 3 Hills Challenge
Several Honiton Running Club members travelled the short distance to Dalwood to take part in the Dalwood 3 Hills Challenge last Sunday. There was a downpour just before the start and runners got a good soaking or two during the race. Apart from that the weather was pretty kind with a brief appearance by the yellow ball in the sky. However, following the two recent storms and extremely wet weather, the ground was muddier and more slippery than ever. This meant for a very tough run and slower times than usual being posted. This is a mainly off road and despite the name, there are actually 4 substantial hills and countless more smaller ones. First back for HRC was Greg Morris who finished in 1 hour 19 minutes and 57 seconds in 5th place. Next back was Nick Silkstone who managed to take a wrong turn and do a 3rd of a mile more. He finished 13th in 1:23:08. Steve Page followed in 20th place in 1:27:07. John Bennett came 24th in 1:29:49 and Alasdair Moffett was 30th in 1:33:34. Charlie Murray came 33rd in 1:34:32 and Hadleigh Davies was 37th in 1:37:10. Louise Bennett was first lady back for HRC coming 57th in 1:41:56. Tim Wigram came 59th in 1:42 and Judy Davey followed coming 64th in 1:43:43. Pippa Westall came 68th in 1:44:35 just one place and 29 seconds ahead of her partner Richard Harris. Paula Ferris came 87th in 1:53:50 and Jo Buxton followed 2 places and 27 seconds later. Lyn Grady was pleased with her run although, like everyone else, she found it tough to come 95th in 1:58:09. This was Jennie Sleeman’s first Dalwood 3 Hills and she came 103rd in 2:06:31 followed just 3 places later by Emma Davey who finished in 2:11:44. There were a record number of 124 finishers and the race was won by Chet Gillespie of Axe Valley Runners in 1:13:07.
Two HRC juniors took part in the associated Mini Challenge with Finlay Downes finishing 2nd overall in 24:13. Louis Dann Dunousseau came 5th in 27:38. The race was won by William Birchall of Exeter Harriers in 24:08 and there were 11 finishers. Many thanks to the landowners for allowing runners to churn up their muddy fields and to Dalwood Run Committee for putting on a great event. Thanks also to everyone else who was roped in to help in any way.  
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Woodbury Night Run
Three Honiton Running Club members drove the short distance to Bicton on Saturday evening for the Wild Night Run on Woodbury Common. With many events being cancelled due to the arrival  of Storm Ciara the organisers managed to beat the impending bad weather with an evening race starting at 7.30pm. Conditions were relatively warm albeit breezy and the event covered two distances, a Half Marathon and a 6.8 miler. Conditions underfoot were good with some mud in places which proved tricky in the darkness. Olivia Killen had entered the half marathon and finished in a great time of 2.29.28. She was 53rd overall and there were 68 finishers in a race that was won by Adam Holland in 1.29.05. Tim Wigram had also entered the half but was running with his dog in the Canicross category. Both Tim and pooch, Silas, finished in 2.06.26. Howard Bidmead had entered the shorter distance which had been advertised as a 10k but turned out to be nearer 11k. Notwithstanding this, Howard had a good run finishing 23rd overall  in a time of 59.41 and winning the Male O60 category. There were 76 finishers in the race which was won by Ben Renshaw in 42.27.
Ottery Puzzle Run Results​
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Blackmore Vale Half Marathon
Three Honiton Running Club ladies took part in the undulating Blackmore Vale Half Marathon last Sunday. The race is run on quiet country roads from Bishops Caundle in Dorset.  Jennie Sleeman was first back in 1 hour 57 minutes in 248th place. She was followed by Olivia Killen who finished in 2:03 coming 272nd  and the trio was completed  by Kathy Layzell in 2:43 and 348th place. The race was won by Adam Holland in 1:14 and there were 354 finishers. 
Blackdown Beauty and South West Vets
Last Saturday, about 250 runners set off to take part in Honiton Running Club’s Blackdown Beast. This run filled up almost as soon as entries came out. It is a social but challenging run boasting many hills and lots of mud to sap the legs. There is a choice of 16 ½ miles or a shorter 10 ½ mile route where runners stop at Upottery and are taken by mini bus back to the headquarters at Highfield Sport and Social Club in Dunkeswell.  Runners come from far and wide and several HRC runners took part. There are several stops on route and the mainly off road run takes runners through the wonderful footpaths on the Blackdown Hills. The weather was very kind although the fog came in and what are usually fantastic views were reduced to less than the other end of a field! The first stop, after 7 ½  miles, was Smeatharpe Village Hall where participants were treated to delicious hot sweet mulled cider and equally delicious warming pasties. Thanks to the ladies of the WI for making and serving this very welcome sustenance. The next stop was the Sidmouth Arms, Upottery. At this point some runners who had signed up for 10 decided to make the commitment and complete the full 16 ½ miles. Others had signed up for 16 ½ and decided enough was enough and took the bus back! For those who resisted the bus, it was on to the Luppitt Inn; one of the smallest pubs in the country! Organisers made sure the family knew runners were coming as opening times are flexible! The shortish last leg then takes runners across private land back to Dunkeswell. For many this was the furthest distance they had ever run and for a few this was by many miles! A fantastic effort by everyone.
 
As always all participants thoroughly enjoyed the day with many looking forward to the summer version; the Blackdown Beauty. This will be in early July and places are likely to go fast for this event too so look out for further information on www.honitonrc.com and to register your interest very soon. It may be a completely different route to previous years. Thanks to everyone who made the event possible including the landowners. Money raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.
 
The South West Vets’ Cross Country Championships took place at Sidford Sports Fields near Sidmouth on Sunday 26th January. The weather was wet and windy and the ground wet, boggy and slippery. This was a 6k course and consisted of three and a half laps of the Sports fields. The championships are for South West based veteran athletes with prizes awarded to the first three in each category between O35’s to the O70’s. Howard Bidmead, of HRC, was competing in the 60 to 64 category and finished second in a time of 29m 59s. The event was won overall by Eddie O’Gorman from City of Salisbury AC in a time of 24m 37s.
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First Chance 10K
​Fifteen Honiton Running Club members braved the icy conditions on Sunday to take part in the popular First Chance 10K which is a fairly flat race along the banks of the river Exe mainly on tarmac. There were many slippery spots so runners had to take care. This race always fills up quickly and there were 559 finishers. The winner was Philip Wylie from Cheltenham in a time of 31:26 and the first lady was Ruth Barnes from Falmouth at 36:20. Mark Jeffreys was first for Honiton in a time of 38:04 followed by Adam Rooke in 40:13 who just escaped being taken out by a slipping runner. There was then a gap back to Jay Sweetman in 45:29. Pippa Westall was first Honiton lady in a time of 46:45 which she was very pleased with as it was a PB. Luke Holway and Rachel Hennessey battled together over the last couple of kilometres with Luke just winning in 47:49 and Rachel with a PB in 47:54. Luke had gained weight over Christmas and so was well pleased with his return to form. Roger Saunders was not far behind in 48:24 but this was well down on his previous time 3 years ago. Katy Lancaster was not too far behind in 49:52. Kate Harding enjoyed her run in 55:05 and young Ashleigh Ford Cosens came home in 56:40. Pip Vanham was back in 57:50, Debbie Vinnicombe in 57:40 and Vanessa Knowles in 58:32. Michelle Selley was running with her daughter in her first 10K and just got in under an hour at 59:50 and Simon Bates completed the Honiton contingent in a time of 61:21. This race is one of the Instep Devon series which should give Honiton some points in the Instep Championship.
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Oh My Obelisk
​It was a bright sunny day on Sunday, 12th January at Dawlish Leisure Centre when 5 Honiton Running Club members tackled the Oh My Obelisk race comprising of a half marathon and a 9 mile distance. Recent heavy rain meant the course was extremely flooded and muddy and with strong winds on the day it made running difficult. Jennie Sleeman  came 147th place in  2 hours 24 minutes in the half marathon and Olivia Killen came 175th place in 2:33 in the same race. There were 196 finishers. In the 9 mile event, Mike Mears managed to grab himself a podium position coming 3rd overall in  1:06. Kate Harding came 73rd in 1:42 and Mandy Ward 86th in 1:45.
Pip's 50th Parkrun at Killerton

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Axmouth Challenge
Last Sunday several Honiton Running Club members took the short journey to Axmouth to take part in the Axmouth Challenge. There are several races of varying lengths on offer including 9.2 miles, 5.3 miles, 3 miles and 1 mile. Most of the HRC contingency took on the 9.2 miles and the first home for the Club was Vernon Gillard who finished 17th in 1 hour 13 minutes and 2 seconds. Next back was Howard Bidmead who came 30th in 1:18:37. Hadleigh Davies had worked his way through from the back of the pack, overtaking club mates as he went, to eventually come 34th in 1:20:17. Judy Davey finished directly behind 14 seconds later with her husband, Steve Davey, hot on her heels 51 seconds after her. There was a short gap of HRC runners then with Roger Saunders coming 41st in 1:24:10. Rebecca Stevens came 42nd in 1:25:12. Martin Killick came 44th in 1:25:41 having enjoyed the race followed by Rachel Hennessey in 48th place in 1:26:14 who didn’t! Luke Holway confessed that he has enjoyed indulging over Christmas but was pleased he completed the race coming 62nd place in 1:33:01. New Honiton runner, Jenny Lidster had a great run coming 74th in 1:39:46. The race is made up of several loops and is predominantly on road although the off road parts were extremely muddy and slippery. The race was won by Robert Mann in 56:08 and there were 85 finishers.
Several Honiton runners took part in the 5 mile race with Alasdair Moffett leading them home to come 4th overall in 46:43. Sean Corbett followed coming 6th in 54:34 and Kate Harding came 9th in 55:41. Mandy Ward completed the HRC line-up to come 14th in 1:00:58. Ross Wayne won the race in 40:50 and there were 19 finishers. The race consists of the 1st loop of the longer race including all of the off-road muddy parts!
Emily and Gabriella Pepper took part in the 1 mile race. Emily, aged 9, finished in 11:36 with her younger sister finishing in 13:14.
Runners were greeted with some warming refreshments upon their return. 
Howard's early new year's breakfast run - thank you Howard and Helen!
Olivia's Race Diary
For 2020 Olivia has provided a race diary which is linked here. It will also appear under the Events Tab for future reference. 

This Week from

 January 2021

Club Calendar

Mon-Wed nights meet at 6:30pm at Silver St Car Park unless ​advised below.  
​Hi Vis/Reflectors are essential for club runs in the winter.
Monday Night: Cancelled
​
Tuesday Night
Juniors
See here for details
Wednesday Night: Cancelled

Thursday
No activity.
Friday Night: Cancelled
Meet Silver St Car Park at 6:30.
Saturday ​
All parkruns cancelled 
Killerton Parkrun at 9am 
Exeter Parkrun at 9am
​Seaton Parkrun at 9am
Exmouth Parkrun at 9am. 
Haldon Forest Parkrun at 9am
Sunday

Maps and Parking here

Club Kit Page

Order Form for kit here
Page Editors
Judy, Roger