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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

Provisional date
26 Sep 21

Ottery 10K

Cancelled for
2021

Blackdown Beauty

Now a virtual event

Payhembury
Duathlon
15 Aug 2021

Parkrun
Report of all HRC runs last Saturday here
Killerton here
Exeter here
Seaton here
Exmouth here

Instep Devon Championship
2021 Results

Club Charity
2021
TBD

Honiton Sports Shop
offers members 10% discount upon production of HRC card. Click here

Haytor Heller
Last Saturday on the hottest day of the year, Teignbridge Trotters hosted the 35th Haytor Heller 10k on Dartmoor. Starting at 5.30pm the race begins with the infamous climb to the top of Haytor followed by a sharp descent to the old quarry line and an undulating and spectacular run across the moor before another steep climb to the top of Hound Tor. From here runners descend into the valley below before another tortuous climb back up to Haytor and the final sprint down to the finish line. All in all nearly 1200 feet of climb.

5 Honiton runners took part with Mark Newson having a really good race being the first Honiton member home finishing in a time of 61m 28s and finishing 53rd overall. Next home was Howard Bidmead a veteran of this event who ran a steady pace and finished in a good time of 70m 46s and in 109th position and 3rd in the MO60 Category.

The Honiton ladies were represented by Olivia Killen, Michelle Selley and Kathy Layzell. All three ladies ran together and had a thoroughly enjoyable race crossing the line in 204th, 205th and 206th respectively with Olivia leading them in with a time of 1.30.17s and Michelle finishing three seconds later followed by Kathy in 1.30.27.

The race was won by James Baker from Chichester Runners & AC in a time of 43.01s. Liz Dyson from Haldon Trail Runners was First Lady home, finishing 24th overall in a time of 50.54s.

There were 244 finishers.

Otter Vale Rail and River Run
With running events now taking place again and several local events happening over the weekend, 5 members of Honiton Running Club made the short trip to Tipton St. John for the Otter Rail and River 10k.

The course left Tipton playing fields and followed the banks of the Otter to Harpford, returning through Harpford woods and back to Tipton along the Old Railway Line.

Running conditions were ideal but recent rain had left the course extremely muddy in places and slippery underfoot.

First home of the Honiton Runners was Mark Newson who finished in a time of 47 minutes 33 seconds and 32nd overall. Esme Moffett was next for Honiton in 35th place in a time of 49.23. Esme was second lady home overall and also won the O35 F category. Next for Honiton was Howard Bidmead in 37th place in a time of 50.16. Kate Harding was next for Honiton finishing 103rd in 63.57 with Janice Newson next in 169th position and finishing in a time of 73.32.

The race was won by Toby Garrick in 36.00. There were 216 finishers.

Ham to Lyme
Some Honiton Running Club members took part in the Ham to Lyme Ultra Marathon Race on Saturday, 3rd July. As its name suggests the race took a multi-terrain route from Ham Hill to Lyme Regis. Jennie Sleeman, Vanessa Knowles, Michele Selley and Kathy Layzell set off together. Richard Kemp and Tim Wigram set off soon after them. The weather was a mixed bag but was basically kind as it was a bit muggy and a little too warm but there were also a few cooling drops of rain. The race is tough with plenty of hills on the 30 mile route with a several chances to get lost! All HRC runners survived with no falls! When they finished they were told to climb up a hill to get on the bus but unfortunately, a few of runners staggered all the way up the wrong hill to find no bus! Luckily, they were quickly chauffeured around by Asilah Jarrald, a HRC runner herself, to the bus just before it left! The girls ran at a sensible steady pace and took just over 8 hours. Richard and Tim also kept together throughout the race finishing in about 6 hours 20 minutes.

Coombe Keynes Trail 10k at Lulworth

With races returning to the running calendar, Honiton Running Club members Howard Bidmead, Mark Newson and Sharon Wells travelled to Dorset for the Coombe Keynes Trail 10k at Lulworth. The weather was warm, damp and overcast making conditions slightly muggy but ideal for running. The course was undulating, muddy and slippery in places and took runners through the Lulworth Estate and past Lulworth Castle before returning to the quaint Dorset village of Coombe Keynes. Covid restrictions were in place before the start and after the pre race briefing, the runners were held very briefly on mass before the off and to cheers from the many spectators that were present.

Howard Bidmead had a fine race and was really pleased after 8 months without an event. Howard finished in 43rd position in a time of 50m 45s and was 3rd in the O60 category. Mark Newson and Sharon Wells ran together finishing 134th and 135th respectively in a time of 63m 26s.

The race was won by Julian Critchlow from Purbeck Runners in a time of 39.52. There were 263 finishers.

Plym Trail Marathon and Half Marathon
Three Honiton Running Club members joined First and Last Running at their race headquarters (a gazebo, a van and a portaloo on the grass) in the tiny village of Clearbrook, on the edge of Dartmoor, on May 1st and 2nd. Runners dodged ponies, cattle, walkers and families on bikes along the Plym Trail. It was a chilly start as runners ran up the hill through the village and back down again before heading off along Route 27 on the old railway line, but the rain held off until late morning.
Steve Boyes breezed along to complete the marathon double, Jennie Sleeman completed the half Marathon double and Kathy Layzell completed the Saturday half Marathon.
Saturday: Steve completed the marathon in 3:55:50, coming 8/25. The winner was Jonathan Dumelow in 3:10:46. In the half marathon, Jennie came in 6/23 in 2:01:46 and Kathy finished 18th in 2:18:31. The winner was Mike Saywell in 1:47:50
Sunday: Steve completed his second marathon only two minutes slower than on Saturday, coming 17/32 in 3:57:54. The winner was Lee Muscott in 2:56:48. Jennie was also two minutes slower in the half marathon, coming 16/31 in 2:03:13. The winner was Graeme Chamberlain in 1:40:25. It was a sunnier, warmer day and this time there was even a steam train chugging out of the station.

East Devon Round
On Saturday, 1st May, two Honiton Running Club members took on the epic East Devon Round. This is organised by local runner, Alasdair Moffett, with a great deal of help from his wife Esme and many other friends. This was the second running of the event which was cancelled last year. This is a mainly off road ultra-marathon of about 64 miles in length. The race starts and finishes in Offwell and runners also have the option of running half of it and stopping at Blackbury Camp. The route is amazing with many beautiful vistas of the East Devon countryside including Dane’s Hill at Dalwood, the River Yarty, Lyme Regis, Seaton, Blackbury Camp, Pen Point Wood, Hartridge Common and Dumpton. Of course, in order to see the views runners have to climb many hills and there is almost 9000 ft of climb on the route. The race was won by Gareth Shellard in the amazing time of 11 hours 16 minutes. The first lady home, Rachel Fawcett, finished in 12 hours 3 minutes. HRC’s Judy Davey was 3rd lady home, 16th overall and delighted to finish in 14 hours 55 minutes. This is more than twice as far that Judy has ever run before. HRC’s men were represented by Adam Hennessey who had run the race in 2019. He suffered in the latter stages but pushed on through the pain to finish 30th in 17 hours 10 minutes. Approximately 50 runners completed the full distance. Support around the course was phenomenal and the event was extremely well organised. The weather was chilly but mainly alright although there was a freezing hail storm followed by heavy rain during the afternoon which dampened runners’ spirits for a while. Thanks to Alasdair, his crew and, of course, the landowners.
Sid Valley Ring
On the same day, after being rescheduled due to Covid from the 2nd January some HRC members finally got to run their first race of the year! Paula Ferris, Johnny Bennett, Tim Pepper, Hadleigh Davies, Mike Mears, Mandy Ward, Rachel Hennessey, Louise Bennett and Gareth Henwood all took on the hilly challenge of the Sid Valley Ring organised by Climb South West and reaching a total of over 2,000 ft in elevation and climb. The start and finish being along Sidmouth Seafront. Runners were greeted with beautiful sunshine and a well organised check in point and staggered starts to comply with current guidelines. Paula, Johnny, Tim, Hadleigh, Gareth and Lou set off first as they had decided to run as a team of 6 and turned out wearing their newly sponsored t-shirts supplied by local company Jurassic Fibre. Mike and Mandy followed and Rachel set off soon after at about 9am. The first mile was pretty much uphill which was hard going with not much of a warm up. It was well worth the views as you get to the top and continue along this inland to coastal route. The route was well marked, with a feed station including homemade cake half way around and friendly support all the way. It didn’t go without a little drama as Tim took a trip/dive down the path down through Dunscombe Cliffs (around mile 10). Luckily the first aid kit came to good use and Paula’s first aid bandaging skills were put to the test! Gareth had been pleased the run had been postponed due to having an injury so this meant he had time to train and recover for his first event as an HRC member. All the members thoroughly enjoyed the run. Rachel completed the course in 2:35:41, Paula, Johnny, Hadleigh, Tim, Gareth and Lou all came in together with a time of 2:39:06, Mandy with 2:58:45 and Mike with 2:58.52. There were 176 runners. The first person back was Kevin Bale with a time of 1:36:43. It was nice to be back at an event again although a little different from the normal and the medal was worth every effort put in on the hills.

April 2021 Handicap - Well done Clare!

Tough Runner Exeter Epic 10k
On Saturday, 17th April, three ladies of Honiton Running Club took on the Tough Runner Exeter Epic 10k based at Haldon Forest. They ran the race mostly together and treated the terrain with respect due to the stones. It was also the first race the trio had taken on after such a long break due to the pandemic. It was super to see so many runners from all over the country and a really good atmosphere was present. HRC times were: 506th position Jennie sleeman 1 hour 2 minutes with Michele Selley and Kathy Layzell finishing together 535th place in 1 hour 43 minutes. There were 805 finishers.

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.

This Week from

26th July 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: Branscombe Map 5
Park in Branscombe village hall car park shown on map 5. Meet at 6:30.
Tuesday Night
Juniors
See here for details
Wednesday Night: 5K Handicap Run
Register from 6:30 parking at Cotleigh village hall. All paces might win.
Thursday
No activity.
Friday Night: Cotleigh loop
Meet Silver St Car Park at 6:30 prompt.
Saturday
All parkruns cancelled until mid-July
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