Roland Hall of Honiton Running Club fancied a marathon to set off his Christmas so last Sunday he travelled along the coast to Portsmouth. The beginning of the run started with a torrential downpour which may have pushed the start time forward a few minutes as the runners seemed to start very suddenly. The first 2 miles were along the Promenade of Portsmouth which then led onto the beach for about half a mile. After which followed a 2 mile trail, bogged and flooded with water at times, along the coast to a pathway which led runners up to the 7 mile marker. For the next few miles they were on and off road until about 10 miles, then rough stony terrain taking them to the half way point where runners were turned around and looped back the same way home. Roland reached mile 13 at 1 hour 29 minutes and given the wind was against them on the way home, he felt he did well to maintain his pace. He thought at one point he was going to achieve under 3 hours but the wind on the last 2 miles back up the Promenade took its toll and his pace slowed down from 7 minute miling to 8:15 meaning he crossed the line in 3:02:44. A fantastic achievement giving him 14th place overall; an incredible personal best time of about half an hour on testing terrain. All in all Roland had a lovely day running with and meeting some lovely people along the way.  

On the same day, other Honiton runners stayed in Devon to take part in the 27th Wellington Monument 10k race. The race is predominantly on road starting and finishing in Hemyock. The first couple of miles are uphill before the course flattens out to take runners along a track and around the Monument before coming back along the same route. Kevin Hawker was first back for Honiton coming 10th in 37:52. He was followed a little way behind by Tom Bornet who finished 53rd in 44:52. Tim Wigram was next back coming 86th in 48:35 and Steve Briggs was 105th in 50:26. Greg Axsel came 113th in 51:25 and Tony Peek was 147th in 56:34. Helen Davy was the first of only two ladies back for Honiton coming 168th in 60:33. Wendy Williams was pretty close behind her finishing 177th in 62.46. There were 199 finishers and the race was won by Phil Burden of Taunton AC in a time of 34:13.

On Saturday 7th December Honiton Running Club members turned out for the Otterton Reindeer Run. This is a challenging 10k multi-terrain race organised by Sidmouth Running Club. Christmas cheer is abundant and many runners choose to adorn a Christmas bauble or two! Even Santa had a crack at the run! Kevin Hawker came about 7th but he was so swift his time and position were not recorded! The rest of Honiton’s representatives were all ladies with Ceri Oak first back having not raced for months. She did amazingly well to come 35th in 47:22. Julie Payne was next back coming 42nd in 48:01. Kathy Layzell enjoyed this race last year so tried it again coming 119th in 1:01:57. Carol Turnham was next back coming 145th in 1:06:10 followed not too far behind by Wendy Williams and Michelle Selley. Wendy came 150th in 1:07:08 and Michelle followed 7 places and 42 seconds later. Runners were treated to a warming mulled cider and mince pie back in the Village Hall after the race. There were 177 finishers.

If anyone is interested in trying their legs at running, Paul and Jo Lowman are starting a beginners group on Tuesday, 7th January. They will run 10 weekly sessions. Perfect for getting rid of the excesses of the festive season. For further information contact Paul or Jo on 01404 43013.

Sunday, 1st December saw 5 Honiton Running Club members travel to Ham Hill Country Park at Stoke Sub Hamden to take part in Crewkerne Running Club’s The Full Monty-cute.  This is a particularly tough 10 ½ mile off road race which boasts no less than 10 challenging hills guaranteed to test any runner. There is a positive to so many hills though as spectacular views were aplenty including Montacute House.  It is extremely popular with places selling out in October and this year was no exception.   Roland Hall has raced almost every week recently but he was running The Monty for the first time and once again he led the Honiton runners back coming 7th overall in 1 hour 20 minutes and 47 seconds. Steve Davey was next back in 39th place in 1:30:40. Howard Bidmead and Mark Dallyn have been very close in recent races but this time Howard convincingly got the better of Mark finishing  53rd in 1:36:47 with Mark a little way behind coming 69th in 1:39:24. Judy Davey was the only Honiton lady out and didn’t enjoy the run too much this year. She came 82nd in 1:41:23. The race was won by Tiverton Harriers’ Chris Gill in the excellent time of 1:13, almost 3 minutes ahead of Chris Hamilton who came 2nd. There were 238 finishers. Thanks to Crewkerne RC once again for a well organised event with plenty of supportive marshals.