Honiton Running Club managed a good turnout for Axe Valley Runners’ 25th anniversary Grizzly & Cub runs on Sunday. The Grizzly boasts it is an extremely tough race of twentyish miles taking in plenty of mud, hills, bogs and beach and runners were definitely not disappointed. Although, arguably, the course was a little kinder this year with not as much beach. The weather was unseasonably warm for the time of year and, at times, runners did find it a little hot and even managed a sun tan.
Ian Stewart was first back for Honiton in exactly 3 hours, knocking an amazing 31 minutes off his time from last year. Richard Harvey also had a cracking race coming in next in a time of 3:13 and he also managed to knock an incredible 34 minutes off last year. Steve Davey has been beaten by Bruce Strawbridge with monotonous regularity in recent races but today it was Steve’s turn to come out on top finishing in 3:26, two minutes ahead of Bruce. Steve’s wife, Judy was next back very pleased with her 3:32 finish. She had overtaken Julian Gigg and Richard Harris during the second half of the race as they were both suffering with fatigue. They finished in 3:35 and 3:40 respectively. Stephen Boyes was next back in 3:42 followed two minutes later by Vernon Gillard. There was a bit of a gap until the next Honiton runner made an appearance at the finish line in the form of Howard Bidmead in 3:53. Rod Inglis pushed himself to finish in exactly 4 hours after only obtaining a Grizzly place earlier in the week. This was Helen Davy’s first Grizzly and she found it tough finishing 2 minutes after Rod. Olivia Higginson and Nick Bradley- Carter were also running the race for the first time and ran much of it together before Nick’s wheels dropped off so Olivia pulled away to finish in 4:06 just 2 minutes ahead of Nick. Warren Oak has been training for London Marathon recently and has obviously got used to road running as he struggled with this race to finish in 4:14. Wayne Spiller also struggled to finish in 4:39 as he has just finished a cold but Tracey Strawbridge was very pleased with her finishing time of 4:44.
The Cub run is a little under 9 miles and still challenging without the bogs. Runners are still treated to a fair stretch of beach right at the start which saps the energy of even the fastest runners. Pippa Westall was delighted to be first back for Honiton in 1:25 followed by Sarah Warren five minutes later. Pete Lyus enjoyed his run to finish in 1:46 and this was by far the toughest run young Becky Matthews had completed finishing in 1:49. Louise Saunders finished the line up for Honiton to finish in 1:55.
Thanks to AVR for organising the race, especially Race Director Garry Perratt. Also the cheerful marshals, some of whom were out for over 6 hours, as well as the landowners for allowing thousands of feet to churn up their land.
On the same day but on very different terrain, Graham Reeves completed the Bath Half Marathon. He finished in 1:35: 45 seconds: not quite another P.B. The weather was fantastic and the course was nice and fast. The race was won by Edwin Kiptoo of Kenya setting a new course record.
Congratulations to Heather Foundling-Hawker who has been selected to represent Great Britain in the world 100km championships to be held in Italy later this year following her win at the 40 mile track race of the Welsh Ultra Championships last weekend. Well done Heather!
Ian Stewart was first back for Honiton in exactly 3 hours, knocking an amazing 31 minutes off his time from last year. Richard Harvey also had a cracking race coming in next in a time of 3:13 and he also managed to knock an incredible 34 minutes off last year. Steve Davey has been beaten by Bruce Strawbridge with monotonous regularity in recent races but today it was Steve’s turn to come out on top finishing in 3:26, two minutes ahead of Bruce. Steve’s wife, Judy was next back very pleased with her 3:32 finish. She had overtaken Julian Gigg and Richard Harris during the second half of the race as they were both suffering with fatigue. They finished in 3:35 and 3:40 respectively. Stephen Boyes was next back in 3:42 followed two minutes later by Vernon Gillard. There was a bit of a gap until the next Honiton runner made an appearance at the finish line in the form of Howard Bidmead in 3:53. Rod Inglis pushed himself to finish in exactly 4 hours after only obtaining a Grizzly place earlier in the week. This was Helen Davy’s first Grizzly and she found it tough finishing 2 minutes after Rod. Olivia Higginson and Nick Bradley- Carter were also running the race for the first time and ran much of it together before Nick’s wheels dropped off so Olivia pulled away to finish in 4:06 just 2 minutes ahead of Nick. Warren Oak has been training for London Marathon recently and has obviously got used to road running as he struggled with this race to finish in 4:14. Wayne Spiller also struggled to finish in 4:39 as he has just finished a cold but Tracey Strawbridge was very pleased with her finishing time of 4:44.
The Cub run is a little under 9 miles and still challenging without the bogs. Runners are still treated to a fair stretch of beach right at the start which saps the energy of even the fastest runners. Pippa Westall was delighted to be first back for Honiton in 1:25 followed by Sarah Warren five minutes later. Pete Lyus enjoyed his run to finish in 1:46 and this was by far the toughest run young Becky Matthews had completed finishing in 1:49. Louise Saunders finished the line up for Honiton to finish in 1:55.
Thanks to AVR for organising the race, especially Race Director Garry Perratt. Also the cheerful marshals, some of whom were out for over 6 hours, as well as the landowners for allowing thousands of feet to churn up their land.
On the same day but on very different terrain, Graham Reeves completed the Bath Half Marathon. He finished in 1:35: 45 seconds: not quite another P.B. The weather was fantastic and the course was nice and fast. The race was won by Edwin Kiptoo of Kenya setting a new course record.
Congratulations to Heather Foundling-Hawker who has been selected to represent Great Britain in the world 100km championships to be held in Italy later this year following her win at the 40 mile track race of the Welsh Ultra Championships last weekend. Well done Heather!
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