The third running of Honiton Running Club’s Blackdown Beast took place last Saturday. Every year it has become more popular and this year it was a sell out weeks before the event when the 100th runner was registered. It is a social run and not a race and participants could choose to run the full distance of 16 miles or stop at 10 miles where a mini-bus was waiting to return shorter route runners back to their cars. For the first time the headquarters was at Highfield Social Club, Dunkeswell which proved to be ideal with plenty of parking and more importantly great value food on offer afterwards.
There are no marshals as such but runners are given a booklet produced and illustrated by Chairman, John Burgess. This includes written directions as well as maps of the various legs and from this runners find their own way (hopefully). After leaving the Social Club runners undertake the longest and toughest leg before arriving at Smeatharpe Village Hall and very welcome mulled cider and succulent hot pasties courtesy of the ladies of Smeatharpe W.I. and dogsbody Colvin. After Smeatharpe, it’s hard to get going again but next stop is the Sidmouth Arms at Upottery and more sustenance. Then onto the Luppitt Inn which thankfully had been pre warned of the arrival of 100 muddy, thirsty runners. For those who had never been to Luppitt, the pub was one not to be forgotten as it is not much more than the landlady’s lounge and definitely standing room only. It’s a good job the crowd were well spread out at that point. The final stretch was a different route to previous years and a much more interesting way of getting back to Dunkeswell.
Weather conditions were ideal following a damp week which meant plenty of mud and other similar substances to wade through but a clear sky meant stunning views. Thanks to everyone involved with organisation especially behind the scenes or supporting runners on the day including the Smeatharpe ladies, Highfield Social Club caterers as well as all the landowners who kindly allowed 200 feet to trample their land.
Blackdown Beast 2012 Page with comments from runners and photos here
The previous weekend saw Stephen Boyes run the Gloucester Marathon. There was a mix up with the recording of his time but Steve actually ran it in 3 hour 42 mins which he was reasonably pleased with as it was quite a hilly course.
There are no marshals as such but runners are given a booklet produced and illustrated by Chairman, John Burgess. This includes written directions as well as maps of the various legs and from this runners find their own way (hopefully). After leaving the Social Club runners undertake the longest and toughest leg before arriving at Smeatharpe Village Hall and very welcome mulled cider and succulent hot pasties courtesy of the ladies of Smeatharpe W.I. and dogsbody Colvin. After Smeatharpe, it’s hard to get going again but next stop is the Sidmouth Arms at Upottery and more sustenance. Then onto the Luppitt Inn which thankfully had been pre warned of the arrival of 100 muddy, thirsty runners. For those who had never been to Luppitt, the pub was one not to be forgotten as it is not much more than the landlady’s lounge and definitely standing room only. It’s a good job the crowd were well spread out at that point. The final stretch was a different route to previous years and a much more interesting way of getting back to Dunkeswell.
Weather conditions were ideal following a damp week which meant plenty of mud and other similar substances to wade through but a clear sky meant stunning views. Thanks to everyone involved with organisation especially behind the scenes or supporting runners on the day including the Smeatharpe ladies, Highfield Social Club caterers as well as all the landowners who kindly allowed 200 feet to trample their land.
Blackdown Beast 2012 Page with comments from runners and photos here
The previous weekend saw Stephen Boyes run the Gloucester Marathon. There was a mix up with the recording of his time but Steve actually ran it in 3 hour 42 mins which he was reasonably pleased with as it was quite a hilly course.
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