On Sunday, 16th September, three Honiton runners went to Newcastle Upon Tyne to take part in the Bupa Great North Run. This is the world’s biggest half marathon and starts in Newcastle and finishes in South Shields. About 54,000 runners took part. Alan Rowe MBE, Olivia Higginson and Nick Bradley-Carter were joined by marine Barry Gray and they chose not to race the event but went instead to carry The Baton and spread the word. This they did very well stopping to talk to many fellow runners and spectators along the way. Mo Farah was scheduled to compete in the event but said he felt tired following the birth of his twins and he had not had time to train for the distance. Instead, he joined fellow London 2012 Olympic gold medalists Kat Copeland, Greg Rutherford, Nicola Adams and Ellie Simmons to start the race. Mo’s decision not to race meant that Wilson Kipsang was first across the line in 59 minutes 6 seconds. The Honiton group were just a little slower finishing in about 2 ½ hours but were very happy with their run and still felt pretty fresh at the end.  

The New Forest Marathon is usually picturesque but last Sunday it was rain, rain and more rain for the whole event. There was also a strong wind which didn’t help conditions. Nevertheless, Steve Boyes managed the great time of 3 hours 33 minutes. This was a special race for Steve as it was his 100th marathon. A very worthy owner of the nickname Marathon Man!

On the same wet Sunday, Graham Reeves and Olivia Higginson weren’t put off by the rain and turned out for the Woodbury 10km. They had both completed it before so knew what to expect from the undulating course which has two long inclines and an uphill finish. Graham came 8th in a pb of 40.29 and Olivia finished in her fastest time for this race in 52.06. The race raises money for Christian Aid and all runners were rewarded with bacon baps, tea and cake. Despite the weather there was a good turn out.

On Sunday, 9th September Honiton Running Club members Graham Reeves, Sam Shute, and Lesley Crocker took part in the Force 10k at Powderham Castle. The route starts at the castle and takes runners around the estate and through the woodlands. It was very warm and sunny. Graham was first back in 13th place in a time of 40 minutes 56 seconds. Next back was Lesley in 50-27 and 89th place. Sam followed in 61-40 and 222nd. There were 302 finishers.

The Charmouth Challenge usually takes place in July but due to extreme weather conditions which would have made the run dangerous; it was postponed until last Sunday. The run goes through some spectacular coastal scenery with amazing views and the 8 mile route includes an ascent of Golden Cap. This is the highest point on the south coast of England forming part of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Despite the perfect weather conditions numbers were depleted because of the move but there was still plenty of support along the route.  Bruce Strawbridge was first back for Honiton finishing in 18th place and delighted with his time of 1:05:46. Howard Bidmead fresh back from a holiday in Turkey also had a great race to finish in 28th position in 1:11:58. Judy Davey was the only female Honiton representative and she was pleased with her 40th place finishing in 1:15:59. The winner was Kyle Hackett who managed the obscenely speedy time of 54:40.

On the Sunday of the bank holiday weekend four Honiton Running Club members took part in the Battle of Sedgemoor 10k road race based in Langport. Sunday was a pleasant day sandwiched between two typical wet bank holiday days which meant conditions were  pretty good. It's mostly flat and a fast course and Graham Reeves managed to know about 2 ½ minutes of last year’s time which upped his finish position by 72 places meaning he finished 46th in 41 minutes 5 seconds. Nick Bradley-Carter also took part in the event last year and he managed to better his finish position although he was a bit slower. I was Sam Shute’s first attempt at the race and she was delighted to finish in under an hour. She was 251st in 57:03. Val Hales completed Honiton’s line up finishing 316th in 1:10:55. The race was won by David Cooke in a course record time of 29:28. He must have been delighted with that.  

It was pouring with rain the day after, on Bank Holiday Monday, but some of the more hardy Honiton runners travelled to Bampton to take part in the Quarryman’s Trail 10k multi-terrain race. This is a low key event which is part of Bampton Open Day and the weather had obviously put a few potential runners off as there were only 47 starters. The race has a very tough start with runners being taken up hill on road and pavement and just before it continued up hill off road it became very slippery. It’s a good job runners were ascending and not descending as there would have been several slip ups. Although the course levels, it was very muddy and slippery throughout with many puddles to either avoid or splash through. At least runners can look forward to the down hill finish taking them back to the start at the Quarryman’s pub. The weather did brighten up for most of the race and at least it wasn’t cold.

Steve Davey was first back for Honiton coming 7th overall in 48:56. Bruce Strawbridge was next back in 17th position in 50:41. John Burgess had overtaken Judy Davey in the early stages but she kept him in her sights throughout taking advantage of a slippery descent to storm past him. She held the lead for a short time before John saw his chance again and managed an uphill take over. He held this lead to finish 25th and one place in front of Judy in 55:32. Steve, Bruce and John all represent different age categories and amazingly they were all awarded bottles of wine for coming first in their respective groups. Judy finished in 55:55 and was quite happy as she was 3rd lady winning a special medal for her efforts. Unfortunately, Olivia Higginson was the only Honiton member to come home empty handed but as this was her inaugural Quarryman’s Trail she was quite happy and will definitely do it again. She finished 37th in 63:33 after taking a very slight deviation from route.

On the same day, Howard Bidmead took part in the Lustleigh 10k which takes place during the Lustleigh Village show in Dartmoor National Park. It is a multi terrain extremely hilly race made worse this year by the damp and muddy conditions. Fortunately the rain stopped just prior to the start of the race which was started by Ann Widdecombe who also presented the prizes. The course is undulating with one major climb during the wooded part of the course which begins at 6K and finishes just prior to 8K before a down hill run back into Lustleigh village and back to the showground. 123 runners completed the course with the winning time being 38.44 by Adam Holland. Howard was pleased to come 31st in 49.24 and delighted to take the first prize in his age category.

There were 54 finishers in the Dalwood Fayre 10k multi-terrain race and Honiton Running Club was very well represented with 16 members taking part. This hilly and muddy race was held on the evening of Wednesday, 13th August. The race also attracted a number of locals who fancied a challenge. The race was won by Tim Lenton of local Axe Valley Runners in the very quick time of 40 minutes 21 seconds.

First in for Honiton was Ian Stewart who came a very creditable 5th overall in 42:49. Richard Harvey was next back having been followed for most of the race by Bruce Strawrbridge. Richard was 11th in 48:33 with Bruce one place later in 49:11. Tom Dunn, presently on a break home from his studies, has obviously been training as he wasn’t far behind coming in 17th place in 50:18. John Burgess was delighted with his race as he finished within seconds of last year’s time in 25th place in 55:07. John had overtaken Mark Andow in the latter stages and Mark eventually finished two places behind in 56:19. Nick Thorpe managed to come in front of Honiton’s first lady, Lesley Crocker. Nick came 28th in 57:14 with Lesley two places and 23 seconds later. Dan Brett is quicker on flatter courses but he did well to come 35th in 1:01:25. Louise Saunders has been turning up to training nights regularly recently and this has paid off as she was pleased to finish 38th in 1:04:05. Honiton took quite a few of the remaining places with Linda Pike, Pete Lyus and Sandra Thorpe coming 44th, 45th and 46th within less than 90 seconds of each other. Linda 1:08:01, Pete 1:08:25 and Sandra 1:09:24. The three remaining Honiton runners closely followed with Carol Turnham coming 48th in 1:11:05, Wendy Williams 49th in 1:11:16 and Jayne Barlow 51st in 1:13:35.

As usual, there was a great atmosphere at the finish with enthusiastic support for the runners crossing the line. Plenty of tasty curry and chips were on offer as well as the usual liquid refreshments of the Tucker’s Arms.

The 10K Sidmouth Festival Run is renowned for its fearsome start. The runners climb 400ft from Jacobs Ladder to the top of Peak Hill in just a half a mile. This is a leg aching average gradient of 20% with some sections well over 30%. Once up the hill the race then heads out over the flat tracks of Mutters Moor before plunging down a muddy path round Bulverton Hill. More climbing brings the runners back to the woods above the golf course and a mile long forest trail which is a joy to run. After regaining the top of the moor there is the unrelenting sprint back town the hill to the finish. The race was won by Liam Roberts of Axe Valley Runners with the impressive time of 0:43:45. Honiton Running Club was well represented with Ian Stewart very pleased to lead them home in 9th place and nearly 3 minutes quicker than last year. Next in was Graham Reeves who also moved up the order with a faster run than 2011. For Howard Bidmead this is a must-do race and he came in next followed closely by Rod Inglis. John Burgess was going as hard as he could at 5 miles when he was overtaken by team mate Graham Rooms who had enough energy to be chatting with another runner. Graham crossed the line 12 seconds in front of John. Nick Bradley-Carter was next home ruing the fact that he had been for a 10 mile run the previous day. Finally new and improving club member Kathy Layzell came charging down the hill to the finish having enjoyed the run – well all of it after that fearsome start.

Honiton RC results:
 9th Ian Stewart, 0:43:45: 23rd Graham Reeves 0:48:50: 35th Howard Bidmead, 0:51:25: 41st Rod Inglis, 0:53:28: 56th Graham Rooms, 0:55:59: 57th John Burgess 0:56:11: 78th Nick Bradley-Carter 1:01:03: 101st Kathy Layzell, 1:10:59 

Crewkerne Running Club’s Hasebury Trail took place last Wednesday evening and the only Honiton Running Club representative was Ian Stewart. The race is a two lap course of 10k starting and finishing at North Perrott Cricket Club. The route is varied and interesting without being too difficult. There are a number of obstacles including countless stiles as well as footbridges and a ford. There is one major climb which has to be taken twice, but it is relatively short and sharp. Local Axe Valley Runner, Alex Todd, won the race in a time of 40 minutes 11 seconds and Ian finished in a very creditable 7th place in a time of 43:35. There were 91 runners.

Kevin Hawker and Wendy Williams of Honiton RC travelled to Shaves Cross last Saturday night to take part tin the Shaves Cross Mini Marathon. This is a tough five mile race celebrating its 65th Anniversary. It started with two laps of a rutted field where the local fete was taking place, then up a hill over one mile long. Kevin came home in first place in 29:50; over 90 seconds ahead of the runner who finished in second place, winning a huge trophy to keep for the year. Wendy had a great run coming in 61st out of 85 runners, having a storming second half of the race which had a tough uphill finish to the fete. Both celebrated with a lamb spit roast to restore some energy.

Nick Bradley-Carter, Sam Shute and Graham Reeves took part in the Totnes 10k last Sunday morning, The journey down was in near torrential rain at times, and didn't ease until just before the start, when the clouds parted slightly and the sun came out for most of the race. The course was very wet and muddy; one puddle was nearly waist deep as Graham found out. Graham led the Honiton runners home despite feeling unwell during the race finishing in 60th place in 46:57, Nick was next home in 181st place and happy with his time of 55:47, Sam was next in 363rd place with a time of 67-50.

Three intrepid Honiton Runners turned out on Saturday, 13th July for the Otter Rail and River 10k run. This is a flattish course but with plenty of mud which started and finished in Tipton St. John. The first runner home for Honiton was Tim Legg in a time of 45 minutes 9 seconds and 18th place. He found it tough going in the early stages due to slipping on the mud and was overtaken by Howard Bidmead. However Tim soon gained his confidence on some harder ground and using it to his advantage he was soon in front of Howard again. Howard finished in 31st position in 47.10. Graham Rooms wore his new HRC vest for the first time and came in 44th in 50.19. There were 117 finishers.

 

The Haytor Heller took place last Sunday and this is a favourite of some Honiton runners. It consists of 6 miles of breathtaking off-road running in the heart of Dartmoor. It has a tough start with the start line being half way up the hill to Haytor Rock. The course is then predictably hilly taking in Hound Tor but it has a fast downhill finale to the finish at the bottom of Haytor Rock. The stony ground makes the terrain tough going but spectacular views make up for this. Bruce Strawbridge led the Honiton runners home coming 44th in 52:33. Howard Bidmead came 63rd in 56:04 and the lady representatives Clare Melbourne and Tracey Strawbridge came 217th and 222nd respectively. Clare finished less than a minute ahead of Tracey in 1:15:42 with Tracey finishing in 1:16:16. There were 257 finishers and Arran Tockwell won the race in 42:04.

Last weekend Vernon Gillard and Olivia Higginson of Honiton Running Club completed the Wellington 10 mile race. Vernon finished in 1 hour 15 minutes 13 seconds and Olivia 1:26:55. Nick Bradley-Carter tackled the 10k version finishing in 50:39. They managed to pick one of the few very hot days of the summer and with the course being extremely hilly, they found the going tough.

 

On Wednesday, Honiton RC produced a good turnout for the inaugural running of the Colyton Rebel Run organised by Colyton Grammar School ably assisted by Axe Valley Runners. It was a dry evening but with the route doing a loop of Morganhayes Woods, there was still plenty of mud. Kevin Hawker was the first Honiton runner back in the 10k version coming 7th place in 38:42. Steve Davey had another great run coming 16th in 42:20 and first in his category. It was a bit of a rush for Gary Phillips to get to the race but he managed 21st place in 43:38. He was followed by Rod Inglis who had a brilliant run coming 23rd in 44:19 following an impressive sprint finish to the line. John Burgess was race referee and started after everyone else. He timed himself at 48:52 and was slotted into 46th position which was a little bit unconvincing as he didn’t actually start at the proper start but a little way down the road. This was Jo Davey’s first off road race and she finished impressively in 64th place in 52:06. This was a great first time effort for the race with efficient, cheerful marshals and Colyton Grammar PTA excelled with the delicious cakes on the runners’ return. All runners enjoyed themselves and promised to come back again next year.

Other Honiton results: 34th Howard Bidmead 46:20, 39th Roger Saunders 47:39, 44th Steve Briggs 48:14, 50th Judy Davey 49:43, 59th Olivia Higginson 51:02, 60th Nick Thorpe 51:11 and 111th Wendy Williams 1:02:54.  There were 126 runners.

Honiton Juniors produced another set of spectacular results taking the first 3 positions in the 5K race. This was the same route as the 10k but didn’t include the Morganhayes Woods loop. Henry Riddle was 1st in 22:57, Iain Ross 2nd in 24:07 and Jack Elsom 3rd in 25:34. The only Honiton junior girl was Anna Lamb who did very well to come 18th in 32:31. Two Honiton adults also took part. Liz Corney and Maggie Dylan are not regular racers so it was great to see them tackling the demanding race. Liz was 27th in 40:23 and Maggie was 29th in 40:54. There were 43 runners.                         

Honiton’s own Blackdown Beauty took place last Saturday with a record number of runners taking part. There was also a record amount of mud varying in quantity and variety of odour! The main choice of routes was either 18 miles or 10 miles with runners able to pick which points they ran enabling them to run a different distance. The base was at Priors Park Farm, Culmhead courtesy of Jim Hill and family. The long route took in 4 pubs as well as a cream tea taking runners to Pitminster and then on to Clayhidon before a visit to Pear Tree Cottage, Stapley for the delicious cream tea, appreciated by all. Thank you to the Parry family for the use of their gorgeous garden and all the ladies for making the scones and serving welcome cups of tea. Once fed and watered, runners went on to Churchinford before running back to base. Runners were invited to dress in red, white and blue in a patriotic style and some participants went all out with some great costumes. Thanks to everyone who helped in any way as well as all the landowners. Special thanks must go to John Burgess who has given up many hours of his time organizing the event in so many ways including creating the booklet, tirelessly investigating possible routes, visiting landowners and publicans as well as coordinating everyone else involved. Also Jim Hill for giving up part of his farm for the day by providing the ideal base for the run including an undercover barbecue area for those inevitable showers

Howard Bidmead of Honiton Running Club would have taken part in the Charmouth Challenge last Saturday had it not been cancelled due to the torrential rain which caused landslides and dangerous conditions on the cliffs. Not content to relax for the weekend, he managed to find a nice little race on Sunday up in the Quantock Hills in Somerset. It started and finished at Fyne House, a National Trust estate. The Quantock Beast organised by the Quantock Harriers is 5.7 miles of tough multi terrain running. Amazingly, it was beautiful weather, fine views and with all the recent bad weather as much mud as you would ever want. The race has a downhill start and a downhill finish but other than that there are large amounts of climb through the Quantock Hills.  

There were 72 entrants and the winner was John Firth of Southville Running Club in a time of 38 minutes 24 seconds. Howard was 16th overall in 49:06.

 

Honiton Running Club’s Stephen Boyes’ plan for last weekend was to ride pillion on a motorbike with a friend from Lands End to John O’Groats stopping off en route to run the Cheltenham Challenge Marathon. The marathon proved to be the easy part. Steve managed to finish in 4 hours 43 minutes having only got lost once! However, the motorbike ride did not go as planned since the weather was worse than February. They did the Lands End leg with Steve saying they nearly died due to heavy rain and very strong winds so the John O’Groats leg was postponed. Steve was pleased he’d completed the marathon though as he enjoyed the scenic circular route.

 

Graham Reeves and Lesley Crocker took part in the Torbay Half Marathon on Sunday 24th June.  It was a good race with a strong field. The men’s winner, Tewodros Shiferaw of Birchfield Harriers, crossed the line in 01:06:14 and the female winner Annabella Granger, of Bristol and West AC completed the race in 1:21:20.  It was well supported on the streets during the two lap route from Paignton to Torquay and back with a couple of hills chucked in for good measure. As the runners entered Torquay they were even serenaded by two gentlemen belting out some classic tunes.  The rain held off during the race and thankfully it was not too warm; the only frustrating issue was a problem with 100 of the timing chips, this was finally resolved by Wednesday and Lesley was delighted to discover that she had completed the run in 01:55:42, a new personal best time. This was Graham’s fourth half marathon this year and he managed his third pb. He finished 93rd in a time of 1:32:04. Graham was very happy with the result and is looking forward to more half marathons this year.

Five Honiton runners took part in Sidmouth Running Club’s ‘Beat the Bus’ last Wednesday evening. Runners begin at Otterton at exactly the same time as the bus leaves for Sidmouth. Obviously, the bus takes the road route whilst runners take the more direct off road route to Peak Hill in Sidmouth and back again. Time is recorded for both runners and The Bus as they arrive back at the start in Otterton. Steve Davey was first back for Honiton in 45 minutes 30 seconds in 16th position with Bruce Strawbridge not too far behind in 19th place in 46:35. Howard Bidmead was next back in 27th position in 49:37. Olivia Higginson and Nick Bradley-Carter often have a battle for finish position and this time Nick was defeated because he took a wrong turn and had to be brought back on track by a marshal on a quad bike. This meant that he lost valuable time and Olivia made the most of it coming in 49th place in 55:43 with Nick 54th in 56:56. The bus took exactly 59 minutes finishing 61st meaning that Honiton could celebrate as all its runners managed to ‘Beat the Bus’. There were 87 runners altogether and The Bus!