Kris Ward continues good form at Killerton and Saint Helen wins age category

On Sunday 22nd September the Killerton Half Marathon alongside a 5K and 10K races took place.

A tough trail race took the runners around the National Trust working farm estate just 6 miles from Exeter. The estate has a huge network of 70 miles of footpaths, trails and public rights of way giving far reaching views across to Dartmoor, Haldon and the Exe Valley. The elevation of the half marathon course was over 2000 feet, making the race a true test of endurance.

The weather conditions on the morning were just about perfect with cool temperatures and a slight breeze.

Kris Ward, following up from his great performance in the Cream Tea Caper last week, ran superbly well again to finish in 7^th position, posting a time of 1:43:49.

Max Conroy also finished well up the field, finishing in 17^th spot, in a time of 1:57:27.

The overall winner was Simon Minton, representing Exmouth Harriers, finishing in a great time of 1:28:20. There were 85 finishers.

In the 10K race, Martin Randall was the Club’s sole representative. Martin ran a fine race to finish in 22^nd place, in a great time of 00:51:48. There were 250 finishers.

Helen & Ryan Anthony travelled to North Cornwall on Sunday 22^nd September to take part in the inaugural running of the 28.5 mile Saints Way Ultra Challenge race, from Padstow to Fowey.

The race was superbly organised by Purple Gecko, with very supportive marshals and great checkpoint stations. The race was a self–navigation exercise, so the dry weather conditions proved to be a bonus! A mandatory kit list was also required.

The race route followed ancient pathways from coast to coast, and are associated with early saints and missionaries, including Celtic traders seeking to trade with the Egyptians and Greeks.

The race started outside St Petroc Church in Padstow. The runners headed out in a south easterly direction, running along trails and country lanes, crossing St Breock Down, through Lanivet and to the top of Helman Tor. From here the field passed through Lanlivery and onto the River Fowey, before following the valley down to the finish at Fimbarrus Church in Fowey.

Helen ran superbly to finish 9^th overall, completing the tough challenge in 4:44:34. Helen also won the FV40 age category award for her considerable efforts.

Not to be out done, Ryan also comfortably finished well inside the cut-off point. Ryan finished in 108^th place, clocking a very respectable time of 7:28:40.

The winner was Oliver Jones, crossing the line in 4:10:43.

There were 153 finishers.

On Saturday 21^st September, Eleanor Taylor took part in the Great Lanhydrock 10, a multi – terrain race. The route took the runners through the wooded estate and beautiful gardens of the Victorian country house situated near Bodmin.

The trails were gently undulating with a few steep ascents. The trails were very pretty and followed woodland paths.

Eleanor ran superbly, to finish in a time of 1:46:00. This performance also meant that Eleanor also finished 2^nd in the FV60 age category.

Beverley Dennis couldn’t resist taking part in a road race while holidaying in Amsterdam! Bev took part in the Dam tot Damloop (Dam to Dam) starting in Amsterdam Central and finishing in the heart of Zaandam.

This 10 mile race is the largest business race, giving colleagues, relations and customers to run with and against each other! 35,000 runners took part in this hugely popular event.

Temperatures at race time were sweltering. Bev’s pen time started at 1:15pm, but due to the extreme heat, the pens after this time were not allowed to start!!

The residents provided massive support along the way, with music and refreshments on offer. The runners were doused with hosepipes on route which were well appreciated.

Bev completed the distance in 1:55:31 to finish in 12506^th position. Bev finished on a high!!

Andrew Fox & Cristian Robinson, alongside 3 of their colleagues, took part in the annual Rangar White Cliffs Ultra race this weekend.

The route was split up into 30 legs, so each member of the team ran 6 legs each.

The race start was in Maidstone, Kent. Each team was allocated a race start time. The first team set off at 7:30 am, with Foxys team beginning at 1:00pm.

The weather conditions were particularly warm with temperatures climbing to 26 degrees and not falling below 19 degrees during the night. As dawn broke on the Sunday morning, the runners were greeted with an amazing sunrise before wind and rain swept across the region.

The route was mainly on multi-terrain coast paths, fields, some roads, through Dover Docks, embankments and of course, lots of hills!!

The motto of the race is: Run, eat, try and sleep, repeat. Unfortunately, the sleep was more like rest!!

Our two intrepid Trotters ran a combined time of 73 miles. Andrew ran legs 2, 7, 12, 17, 22 & 26 for a total of 35 miles. Christian ran 3 miles further, completing legs 5, 10, 15, 20, 25.

The team completed the challenge in 26 hours 43 minutes. A superb effort from the whole team.

Foxey added, ‘to be part of a team spur’s you on when in pain, and you find the inner strength to keep pushing for your team mates’.

The team thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, although the event was mentally hard due to sleep deprivation and the physical demands of the body endured.

A true team event, whereby the bond formed amongst the team were invaluable.