Roland Hall of Honiton Running Club fancied a marathon to set off his Christmas so last Sunday he travelled along the coast to Portsmouth. The beginning of the run started with a torrential downpour which may have pushed the start time forward a few minutes as the runners seemed to start very suddenly. The first 2 miles were along the Promenade of Portsmouth which then led onto the beach for about half a mile. After which followed a 2 mile trail, bogged and flooded with water at times, along the coast to a pathway which led runners up to the 7 mile marker. For the next few miles they were on and off road until about 10 miles, then rough stony terrain taking them to the half way point where runners were turned around and looped back the same way home. Roland reached mile 13 at 1 hour 29 minutes and given the wind was against them on the way home, he felt he did well to maintain his pace. He thought at one point he was going to achieve under 3 hours but the wind on the last 2 miles back up the Promenade took its toll and his pace slowed down from 7 minute miling to 8:15 meaning he crossed the line in 3:02:44. A fantastic achievement giving him 14th place overall; an incredible personal best time of about half an hour on testing terrain. All in all Roland had a lovely day running with and meeting some lovely people along the way.
On the same day, other Honiton runners stayed in Devon to take part in the 27th Wellington Monument 10k race. The race is predominantly on road starting and finishing in Hemyock. The first couple of miles are uphill before the course flattens out to take runners along a track and around the Monument before coming back along the same route. Kevin Hawker was first back for Honiton coming 10th in 37:52. He was followed a little way behind by Tom Bornet who finished 53rd in 44:52. Tim Wigram was next back coming 86th in 48:35 and Steve Briggs was 105th in 50:26. Greg Axsel came 113th in 51:25 and Tony Peek was 147th in 56:34. Helen Davy was the first of only two ladies back for Honiton coming 168th in 60:33. Wendy Williams was pretty close behind her finishing 177th in 62.46. There were 199 finishers and the race was won by Phil Burden of Taunton AC in a time of 34:13.
On the same day, other Honiton runners stayed in Devon to take part in the 27th Wellington Monument 10k race. The race is predominantly on road starting and finishing in Hemyock. The first couple of miles are uphill before the course flattens out to take runners along a track and around the Monument before coming back along the same route. Kevin Hawker was first back for Honiton coming 10th in 37:52. He was followed a little way behind by Tom Bornet who finished 53rd in 44:52. Tim Wigram was next back coming 86th in 48:35 and Steve Briggs was 105th in 50:26. Greg Axsel came 113th in 51:25 and Tony Peek was 147th in 56:34. Helen Davy was the first of only two ladies back for Honiton coming 168th in 60:33. Wendy Williams was pretty close behind her finishing 177th in 62.46. There were 199 finishers and the race was won by Phil Burden of Taunton AC in a time of 34:13.
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