The heavy snow and ice in the week leading up to this year’s Honiton Running Club’s Blackdown Beast meant that the event going ahead last Saturday was in jeopardy. However, the main organiser, Chairman John Burgess, put his trust in the weather forecast and The Beast went ahead as planned. Most of the snow duly disappeared and although there was still some ice about, the weather on the day was perfect for the 16 mile run. The mud was prevalent with runners spending most of the time either in ankle deep freezing water or wading through leg sapping mud. 

The Beast is a social run with several stops on route at convenient pubs with the route taking in the scenery of the beautiful Blackdown Hills.

The event began and ended at the Highfield Sport and Social Club, Dunkeswell. The first stop, after 7 ½  miles, was Smeatharpe Village Hall where participants were treated to delicious hot sweet mulled cider and equally delicious warming pasties. Thanks to the ladies of the WI for making and serving this very welcome sustenance.

The next stop was the Sidmouth Arms, Upottery where some runners took the opportunity of taking a mini bus back to Dunkeswell having completed 10 miles. Then it was on to the Luppitt Inn; one of the smallest pubs in the country! Organisers made sure the landlady knew runners were coming as opening times are usually somewhat hit or miss. Runners then had a choice of a road route back or to take the cross country option. Most took the cross country way but those who took the road route were glad they did. The cross country route was just as muddy as everywhere else and there was the added chance of losing your way. 

This year the event attracted over 130 runners and was a sell out several weeks earlier with participants coming from as far afield as Bristol and Plymouth. The atmosphere was brilliant and the run was thoroughly enjoyed by all. About £700 was raised for Smeatharpe Village Hall. Thanks to everyone involved in organisation as well as the landowners for allowing runners to cross their land. 

Honiton RC’s summer version in the form of the Blackdown Beauty will be held on 13th July. This is also likely to be a sell out so if you are interested, keep an eye out on www.honitonrc.com to register your interest very soon. 

When the Honiton Running Club Chairman announced a 10 mile off road run in the Goyle on Sunday, 4 Honiton runners decided to take the easy option and instead run the First Chance 10K along the River Exe. Temperatures were just below freezing but Exeter has been spared the snow and ice seen further east so the paths were dry allowing for good times. Graham Reeves led the Honiton team home in a time of 39 minutes 37 seconds which was a PB for him over 10K!. Roger Saunders followed in 44:37 again with a surprisingly good time for him closely followed by Mark Dallyn in a time of 45:19. Sam Shute finished in 57:04 looking very pleased at the finish. The event was well organised and a big thank you has to go to the marshals for standing still for so long in freezing temperatures.

Two Honiton runners braved the cold to take part in the Dawlish Coasters' 'Oh My Obelisk' last Sunday. Billed as a 10mile multi-terrain race, runners are taken on a undulating course up to Haldon Forest and the obelisk, and back down again, which ends up being closer to 11.5 miles in total! Although cold, the weather was on-side with beautiful sunshine throughout. The course was muddy in places but it all added to the fun. First back for Honiton was Clare Melbourne, in 2 hours 2 minutes, and second was Juliet Hall in 2.17. This was a great result for Juliet's first off-road race and both runners thoroughly enjoyed it! The only disappointment of the day was that neither runner actually saw the obelisk, leading them to believe that it may be just a myth created to entice runners up the steep climb to the summit! 

On the same day, several Honiton runners took part in the much closer Axmouth Challenge where runners could choose from a variety of route lengths. The main race was 9.4 miles and mainly on road. The route differed slightly to previous years but there were still plenty of hills and, this year, very slippery mud in places. Steve Davey was first back for Honiton in 21st place in 1 hour 13 minutes and 23 seconds. Howard Bidmead was next back in 35th place in 1:18:44. Rod Inglis finished just one place and 11 seconds later having had a great run. Ceri Oak had an amazing race as she has not raced for well over a year due to injury but she stormed round coming 38th in 1:19:31 showing she is truly back on form. Mark Andow had to get off to a very hurried start as he thought the race started 30 minutes after if did and it may have been lack of time for nerves but he had a great run. He finished 49th in 1:21:47. Mark had overtaken Judy Davey on a particularly slippery field near the finish and he managed to maintain this position with Judy finishing just one place later in 1:21:52. Mark Dallyn was wearing his Honiton vest for the first time. He was out not to push himself to his limit but rather to enjoy the event. He came 53rd in 1:22:50. Warren Oak was next back in 58th place in 1:25:13 with John Burgess hot on his heels finishing just 20 seconds later in 62nd position. Steve Briggs completed the Honiton line up coming 71st in 1:26:45. There were 96 finishers.

Honiton’s junior boys flew the flag brilliantly with Henry Riddle coming 1st in the 5 mile race and Findlay Fuller 2nd bringing home a medal each. Henry finished in 39 minutes 45 seconds and Findlay completed in 41:28. There were 22 runners in this race.

Iain Ross isn’t old enough to take part in the 5 mile race so he had to settle for the mile long fun run for juniors. He also won the race in 8:26 with 15 juniors finishing the run. 

After the race, runners were treated as usual to hot soup, rolls and delicious home made cakes. Thanks to Axe Valley Runners and Axmouth Village Hall for another great event.