Honiton Running Club’s President Alan Rowe MBE ran the Lisbon Half Marathon on  Sunday 24th March to promote the Baton's Message with one of the Trustees. Alan really enjoyed his first time there and found the Portuguese to be such lovely people. It’s a fast flattish "T" shaped course along the sea front. For the Baton’s cause Alan ran with a rucksack containing Baton leaflets and messages which he handed out along the way. Alan’s time was 2 hour 28 minutes and allowing for stops and photos, Alan estimates a real time of about 2:13 - not the fastest, but taking into account a chest infection that he’s had for over 6 weeks, he was very satisfied. Alan found running over the famous 25 de Abril Bridge at the start quite an experience. It is pretty much a direct copy of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alan was told that many low budget film companies choose to shoot there rather than travel to the USA. The whole run was very well organised, plenty of water stations and a really lovely finish area by a park and historic building. There were good quality bands along the way who entertained but crowds were thin until the finish area. The weather on the day was absolutely perfect; 20C with a cooling breeze. Many of the runners, including Alan, took up the offer of a free Baseball Cap in view of the temperature.

 

Honiton Running Club was extremely well represented at Good Friday’s Kilmington Kanter with 14 adults taking part in the main race and 4 juniors tackling the fun run. This multi-terrain race is just under 7 miles and takes in Shute and Umborne as well as Kilmington. It looked like a beautiful spring day but the biting wind made it bitterly cold. Richard Harvey was first back for Honiton in 17th place in a time of 52 minutes 58 seconds. Steve Davey followed coming 20th in 53:51. Richard Harris and Suzanne Spiller battled to the line with Richard coming 25th in 54:57 and Suzanne just 1 place and 2 seconds behind. Suzanne had her victory, however, as she was first lady overall winning a wonderful hamper of fruit for her efforts. Howard Bidmead has been suffering injury following the Grizzly but he had a good race finishing 32nd in 56:20. Mark Dallyn was next back coming 34th in 56:40. Simon Spiller led the next batch of Honiton runners home finishing 36th in 57:40 with Roger Saunders following 9 seconds later having just outsprinted Judy Davey by 7 seconds on the final stretch. Steve Briggs followed in 43rd place with a time of 58:46 before the next trio of Honiton runners finished one after the other led by Lesley Crocker who came 47th in 60:38 followed by Mark Andow in 60:43 and John Burgess finishing just one second later. Lesley was delighted and very surprised to find out she was the winner of her category winning a bag of healthy goodies. Lin Pike completed Honiton’s adult line up finishing 58th in 67:34. There were 67 runners and the race was won by Axe Valley Runner Matthew Clist in 42:30. Runners were treated to a much needed cup of tea and hot cross bun on their return.

The four junior runners did spectacularly well in the fun run with Henry Riddle winning the race in 17:31. Rowan Westall was 2nd in 18:27 and Florence Swan won her category finishing 5th overall in 19:59. Megan Burton was wearing her brand new Honiton racing vest and finished 2nd in her category in 26:04 in 17th place. There were 25 runners.

Thanks to the main organiser Malcolm Macdonald with Kilmington Primary School as well as the sponsors for the great prizes.

Steve Davey, Bruce Strawbridge and Mark Dallyn took part in AVR’s Night Runner last Saturday evening. Runners are guided on the course of this 6 ½ mile off road race by lights placed at strategic points. It is a tough race made tougher by the darkness with runners taken along Branscombe Beach before climbing the infamous Stairway to Heaven. Steve was first back for Honiton coming 21st in about 57 minutes. Bruce followed just a few seconds and 2 places later whilst Mark finished a very respectable 41st. There were 80 runners and the winner was Michael Robinson on Tamar Trotters.

Paul and Jo Lowman are starting a runners’ beginners’ course on Monday, 15th April. Meet at 6.30pm at Honiton Community College. For further information contact Paul on 07764308627 or [email protected]

Four Honiton runners braved the cold temperatures and biting winds to run Age Concern's 'Wrap up and Run' Exeter 10k on Sunday, the title of the race could not have been more apt. This race is one of a series run across the country to raise money for the elderly. Starting in Princesshay the race takes in a lap of Southernhay before descending down to the Quay. From the Quay the route took runners along the River Exe straight into the freezing wind and out to the swing bridge. Here it was time to turn back for home towards Exeter alongside the canal; at least the wind was now on their backs. The finish line, by Haven Banks was a welcome sight and the chance to grab some sustenance and wrap up again. First home for Honiton was the ever improving Graham Reeves with another personal best time of 37 minutes 59 seconds 23rd place. Nick Thorpe was next in 157th place in a time of 48.41, followed by his wife Sandra finishing 270th in 54.14. Both were pleased to finish third in their age categories. Graham's partner, Sam Shute was next with a time of 57.30 in 358th place. The race was won by Tom Merson of Bristol and West AC in a time of 31.15. 550 runners completed the race.