On one of the hottest days of the year so far, ten Honiton Running Club members took part in the 30th anniversary Charmouth Challenge last Saturday which is the most southerly fell race in England. The race is just under 8 miles and after a fast flat start runners are taken up Stone Barrow Lane which is a gruelling climb of about a mile rising over 120m.Once at the top runners go out towards the sea where the views of the Jurassic Coast are breathtaking. The course then undulates until the 140m climb to Golden Cap. Runners have forgotten the views by then but are treated to an equally stunning sight once the summit is reached. There is terrain for everyone with road, fields, woods and cliff tops. The only thing lacking this year was the usual mud.The race was won by Ceri Rees in an amazing time considering it was so hot of 51 minutes 56 seconds. First back for Honiton was Chris Entwistle who was attempting this race for the first time finishing in 26th place in 1:04:10. Richard Harvey was next back having had a great run to come 38th in 1:07:14. It was also Hadleigh Davies’ first Charmouth Challenge and he also had a fantastic race finishing 43rd in 1:08:52. Steve Davey was next back coming 48th in 1:08:52 having battled with both Richard and Hadleigh during the race. Bruce Strawbridge hasn’t raced much this year but he felt strong and was pleased with his 68th place in 1:12:34. Mark Dallyn finished next coming 94th in 1:16:05 having overtaken Judy Davey at about mile 6. Judy found the first half of the race alright but then found the heat sapped all her energy climbing Golden Cap. She finished 112th in 1:17:19. Howard Bidmead had given Judy a run for her money over the first few miles with positions changing frequently. He also suffered during the second half and finished 123rd in 1:18:55. Mark Andow struggled throughout finishing 168th in 1:25:44 and the Honiton line-up was completed by Katy Campbell who finished 185th in 1:27:55. There was an excellent turnout of 265 runners.
Honiton Junior members took part in the 2 ½ mile Mini Challenge seeing Henry Riddle come 2nd overall in a great time of 22 minutes 24 seconds. The Juniors were also taken up the gruelling Stone Barrow Lane although spared Golden Cap. Arthur Heeler-Frood was 9th overall in 24:13 and Flo Swan was 1st girl back for Honiton in 10th place in 24:38. Sam Taylor was next back in 12th place in 25:27 followed by Hope Horsfield who came 16th in 27:36. Iain Ross would usually have been one of the first few back but he was sent the wrong way by a marshal. He ran up an extra section of a hill before having to run back down to continue the correct route .He was given a position of 30th place in 35:55. There were 34 finishers.
Once back at Charmouth School runners were treated to a welcome hosing down and a Fete put on by the School where delicious and welcome refreshments were on offer.
Honiton Junior members took part in the 2 ½ mile Mini Challenge seeing Henry Riddle come 2nd overall in a great time of 22 minutes 24 seconds. The Juniors were also taken up the gruelling Stone Barrow Lane although spared Golden Cap. Arthur Heeler-Frood was 9th overall in 24:13 and Flo Swan was 1st girl back for Honiton in 10th place in 24:38. Sam Taylor was next back in 12th place in 25:27 followed by Hope Horsfield who came 16th in 27:36. Iain Ross would usually have been one of the first few back but he was sent the wrong way by a marshal. He ran up an extra section of a hill before having to run back down to continue the correct route .He was given a position of 30th place in 35:55. There were 34 finishers.
Once back at Charmouth School runners were treated to a welcome hosing down and a Fete put on by the School where delicious and welcome refreshments were on offer.
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