On Saturday three Honiton runners decided to participate in a once in lifetime experience to run through the brand new London Olympic Park and finish in the new Olympic Stadium. The Olympic Park Run was organised by the National Lottery as a tester event for the games and 5000 runners were selected to take part. As luck would have it for the runners the unseasonal heat wave came to an end and so it was cool, ideal for running. Princess Beatrice (running herself) got the 5 mile race underway and the runners then looped round most of the venues in the park though some were still in the final stages of construction. Entering the stadium in the final mile involved running in a subterranean service tunnel for half a mile before emerging into the stadium with 10,000 spectators cheering you on which was an inspiring experience. Julian Gigg finished first in 384th place with a time of 34 minutes 3 seconds for the 5 miles and closely followed by Roger Saunders in 743rd place at 36:22. Greg Axsel was taking lots of photos around the course so had a more leisurely run finishing at 42:51 as the 2352 runner to finish. Roger and Julian found themselves rubbing shoulders with the likes of Sally Gunnell and Steve Backley at the finish. The event no doubt tested out things and on arrival there was a huge queue through Westfield Shopping Centre to get through the airport style security but it moved fairly swiftly. Roll on July when the elite runners get into action there!
On Sunday with the weather warming up again 6 Honiton RC members took part in the Taunton Half Marathon posting some great times. First back was Vernon Gillard in 1 hour 37 minutes followed not too far behind by Nick Bradley-Carter in 1:40. Olivia Higginson had a great run finishing in 1:47 and next back was John Burgess who was having a good run until his legs cramped up at 11 1/5 miles. His target was 1:55 but he just missed this to finish in 1:56. Nevertheless, John was pleased as this is the longest distance he has run for 18 months. John had passed Clare Melbourne within the first mile and was waiting for her to overtake him at any point. This didn’t happen but Clare was delighted with her time just 1 minute after John of 1:57. These times meant personal bests for Nick, Olivia and Clare so well done to them. Helen Davy also took part but she was running with a friend and finished in 2:13. They were treated to delicious cakes after the race, courtesy of Clare. Wayne Spiller bravely took on the two lap challenge to run the full marathon. The two races start at the same time so the second lap does get a bit lonely. Wayne should be pleased with his time of 4:18.
Also on Sunday, four other Honiton runners took on the huge challenge of Sidmouth Running Club’s Exe to Axe which starts at Exmouth and follows the coastal path all the way to Seaton. The route is all but 21 miles and took runners through Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Weston beach, Branscombe and Beer. The race boasts over 4000 feet of climb (more than the Grizzly). Bruce Strawbridge came in first for Honiton getting his own back on Steve Davey who beat him in the Grizzly. Bruce finished in 26th place in 3 hours 28 with Steve coming 32nd in 3:30. Judy Davey was next back and was delighted to manage not only to find her way without deviation but she finished as 3rd lady. She finished 44th overall in 3:39. Howard Bidmead, the final runner for Honiton, took it fairly easy to finish in 90th place in 4:32. There were 101 finishers and Tom Merson won the race in an incredible 2:26.
On Sunday with the weather warming up again 6 Honiton RC members took part in the Taunton Half Marathon posting some great times. First back was Vernon Gillard in 1 hour 37 minutes followed not too far behind by Nick Bradley-Carter in 1:40. Olivia Higginson had a great run finishing in 1:47 and next back was John Burgess who was having a good run until his legs cramped up at 11 1/5 miles. His target was 1:55 but he just missed this to finish in 1:56. Nevertheless, John was pleased as this is the longest distance he has run for 18 months. John had passed Clare Melbourne within the first mile and was waiting for her to overtake him at any point. This didn’t happen but Clare was delighted with her time just 1 minute after John of 1:57. These times meant personal bests for Nick, Olivia and Clare so well done to them. Helen Davy also took part but she was running with a friend and finished in 2:13. They were treated to delicious cakes after the race, courtesy of Clare. Wayne Spiller bravely took on the two lap challenge to run the full marathon. The two races start at the same time so the second lap does get a bit lonely. Wayne should be pleased with his time of 4:18.
Also on Sunday, four other Honiton runners took on the huge challenge of Sidmouth Running Club’s Exe to Axe which starts at Exmouth and follows the coastal path all the way to Seaton. The route is all but 21 miles and took runners through Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Weston beach, Branscombe and Beer. The race boasts over 4000 feet of climb (more than the Grizzly). Bruce Strawbridge came in first for Honiton getting his own back on Steve Davey who beat him in the Grizzly. Bruce finished in 26th place in 3 hours 28 with Steve coming 32nd in 3:30. Judy Davey was next back and was delighted to manage not only to find her way without deviation but she finished as 3rd lady. She finished 44th overall in 3:39. Howard Bidmead, the final runner for Honiton, took it fairly easy to finish in 90th place in 4:32. There were 101 finishers and Tom Merson won the race in an incredible 2:26.
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