On Sunday, 19th January Honiton Running Club members didn’t have to travel too far to take part in Axe Valley Runners’ Axmouth Challenge. The race is a 9 ½ multi-terrain race which forms a figure of eight course around the lanes, fields and paths of Axmouth. The rain of recent weeks ensured the tracks and fields were suitably wet and muddy. The weather was perfect for running starting off with a bit of frost but not enough to make the roads icy. It remained dry throughout the morning for a change. Tom Bornet was the first back for Honiton coming 26th in a time of 1 hour 14 minutes and 15 seconds. Steve Davey could just see Tom at the finish but was powerless to do anything about it. Steve was next back to finish right behind him just 20 seconds later. He was followed by Rod Inglis who had a great run to come 35th in 1:18:04. Next followed Howard Bidmead who also had a good run coming 43rd in 1:19:04. This was Vernon Gillard’s first race for a while but he showed he was still keeping up the training to come 46th in 1:20:33.

Judy Davey was the sole Honiton lady completing the Honiton line-up to finish 55th in 1:23:08. There were 113 finishers and the race was won by AVR’s own Simon Bayliss in the fantastic time of 1:01:14.If runners weren’t brave enough to tackle the full race they could choose to do just one loop and run about 5 miles. Honiton Junior Findlay Fuller won the race in a time of  39:45. John Burgess also took the shorter option as he hasn’t run much distance for weeks. He enjoyed the race feeling no pressure and taking photos along the way. He finished 10th in 59:25. There were 17 finishers. Thanks to the cake and soup makers for welcome sustenance on the runners return back at the village hall. Thanks also to AVR for a great well organised event and of course, to all the marshals.

Last year’s Honiton Running Club’s Blackdown Beast was in jeopardy because of the deep snow leading up to the event but last Sunday there was none of that but with the rain of recent weeks the challenges were mainly mud and bogs. The muscle sapping terrain meant that the 16 miles was hard work but the weather stayed fine and mild throughout the morning.

The Beast is always a sell out and this year saw over 140 runners taking part with runners coming from all over Devon and some from further afield.  The event 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. Other runners decided to stay put, ordered a meal and spent the afternoon in the cosy pub. 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 flexible! The last leg is always the most challenging with plenty of chance of getting lost but this year there was a diversion due to building work taking place on the usual route which meant even more chance of extra mileage!

As always all participants thoroughly enjoyed the day with many looking forward to the summer version; the Blackdown Beauty. Places are likely to go fast for this event too so look out for further information on www.honitonrc.com and to register your interest very soon. Thanks to John Burgess, the main organiser, but also to everyone else involved in organisation and ensuring the day ran smoothly not forgetting the landowners and  probably most importantly the ladies of the WI for the pasties! Money raised once expenses have been paid will go to Smeatharpe Village Hall and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Several Honiton Running Club members travelled to Dawlish Leisure Centre last Sunday to take part in Dawlish Coasters’ Oh My Obelisk race. This was advertised as an 11 mile race which includes plenty of mud and hills too. It was in fact more like 11 ½ miles due to a slight route change avoiding a fallen tree. The route follows green lanes, forest tracks, country lanes and fields and takes runners up to Haldon Forest and back circling the Obelisk. Despite a sore foot, Steve Davey led Honiton back coming 46th in 1 hour 34 minutes and 58 seconds. Steve Selley has been training for this event and was rewarded with a great run coming 65th in 1:38:11. He led the next 6 Honiton runners back who all finished within 4 minutes of each other. Bruce Strawbridge was next coming 75th in 1:39:22 followed by Howard Bidmead who was 81st just 36 seconds later. Judy Davey was the sole Honiton lady and was next back in 90th place in 1:40:42. Judy had overtaken Rod Inglis with less than a mile to go after he ran out of steam and he finished 95th 1:41:47. Rod was in Mark Dallyn’s sights and he was catching him quickly but the race wasn’t quite long enough meaning Mark finished 5 places and just 7 seconds later.  Tony Whiteley completed the Honiton line-up having completed a gutsy race putting on his racing shoes for the first time in a while.  Some runners were lucky enough to see the Obelisk but many didn’t even though they were looking for it! Not to worry, there’s always next year!

On Sunday, 29th December, Steve Briggs of Honiton Running Club took part in the Stoke Stampede based at Stoke St Gregory, Taunton. This is a 10km road race which is fairly flat with some inclines. Steve enjoyed the run and came 132nd in a time of 48 minutes 47 seconds out of a field of 322 runners. 

Whilst many were nursing hangovers on New Year’s Day, 102 runners decided it was kill or cure on Wednesday, 1st January and took part in Chard Road Runners’ Chard Flyer. This is based at the Cricket Club and is a 10k race along roads and paths. Honiton’s Joe Daly and Tony Peek joined what turned out to be an interesting race. The pouring rain never gave up and meant a few parts of the run were underwater. This didn’t dampen the spirits of the marshals who were a great support with their smiles and words of encouragement. The route description is mainly flat but runners found an interesting hilly bit at about 3k that just seemed to go on forever! Tony and Joe ran the race together which they felt was a great help. They came 57th in a time of 56 minutes. Both said they would definitely do it again next year. 

On Sunday, 5th January following particularly bad storms for several days prior to this, the start of South West Road Runners’ First Chance was delayed by one hour to avoid the high tide. Predictably the route was very wet under foot with rain and wind prevailing. Due to floods there was a slight route change which made the course only just over 6 miles instead of the planned 10k. Runners found themselves soaking wet with very cold feet which slowed them down.  All Honiton runners had bagged a place at the last minute for this race which fills up very quickly. Roland Hall was first back for Honiton in 25th place in 36:07. Joe Daly was next back in 198th place in 48:13 followed closely by Tony Peek who finished 218th in 49:01. The only Honiton lady representative was Kelly Allison who was wearing her Honiton racing shirt for the first time. She finished 348th in 56:27. There were 465 finishers.