Sidmouth Running Club members were out in force on Saturday, July 10, competing in the Otter Rail and River 10k event.

The multi-terrain race is organised by Tipton St John Playing Field Association and is gently undulating, following the valley of the River Otter and along the disused railway line in Harpford Woods using short road links, un-surfaced tracks/paths, fields with stiles, kissing gates and this year lots of MUD!

Luckily Sidmouth club runners have been advised by Chairman Terry Bewes not to dill- dally on the outside edges of the mud but to plough straight through and as Bex McDonald said, "It was great Grizzly training!"

There was an air of excitement as the Mighty Greens gathered for a group photo before the start; for many it was their first event in club colours and it was the first race in a long time that 45 MGs lined up at the start.

Mighty Green Toby Garrick had a fantastic run through the challenging conditions and came in 1st overall out of a field of 216 finishers in 36 minutes and was first in his age category. MG's Antony Hall came in 9th place in 42:14 with Tom Knight not far behind in 42:57.

Mighty Green Catherine Hilton had a great run - not only was she first local lady home but also first in her age category in 52:51.

Seconds behind Catherine was Charlotte Forrer who has recently successfully competed in her first triathlon, the Weymouth Middle Distance Triathlon organised by Bustinskin Events. Charlotte is also an England Athletic Run Together group leader with mums from Sidbury school; two of whom ran the Otter Rail and River.

For the club runners further down the field it was very encouraging to hear the cheering as the finishers crossed the line and to see the number of Mighty Greens who had stayed on to do so in true club spirit.

Sidmouth Running Club would like to thank race director Gemma Wiltshire and her team for the very well organised event, the very friendly supportive marshals and the two cow marshals (they had skills!). There were smiles all round as the runners left with their finisher's bottle of Otter Brewery bitter despite having very wet, muddy trainers.

Results

Antony Hall 42:14

Catherine Hilton 52:51

Yasmin Salter 53:44

Susan Anderson 55:25

Clive Gilbert 57:22

Naomi Garrick 59:03

Becky McDonald 60:33

Suzi Rockey 63:48

Judith Jeeves 64:47

Brigid McEleney-Smith 65:05

Jane Stein 66.51

Kathy Jordan 68:17

David Wright 69:35

Sam Ingram 70.19

Jasmine Reeves 70:36

Sarah Burston 71:23

Amelia Frankpitt 72:55

Emma Grainger 81:33

Carol McManus 83:36

Liz Goodman 83:37

Jenny Benattar 84:58

Ann Cole 86:40

Julia Haddrell 94:28

What a way to celebrate being 50!

Also on Saturday representing Sidmouth Running Club in the Exe Estuary 50k, Marathon, Half Marathon-Summer were Allan Kay, Adrian 'Gripper' Horne, Niall Hawkins and Sarah Ginsberg.

The race organised by Winding Paths starts in Budleigh Salterton, continues along the SW coast path to Exmouth (where those running the half marathon turn around), and along the Exe Estuary Trail to Topsham (the return point for the 50k).

Half marathon runners, Niall and Sarah, both agreed that the return along Exmouth seafront was tough but despite mud, rain, sun and hitting a wall (not literally) at mile 8, Niall had an incredible run taking second place in 1:53:53 and Sarah, who had her granddaughter Olive cheering her on, finished in 2:14:54, fourteenth place in a field of 84 runners.

Mighty Green Adrian finally achieved his goal to run 50k in his fiftieth year, and the race postponement due to Covid meant he got to run it with his son, Ollie and MG Allan.

Despite the wet start, the trio enjoyed the picturesque route and were encouraged along the way by family and friends. They finished together, rather fittingly, in joint 50th place in 6:57:08.

A special mention must go to former SRC member, Jess Raynor, who was 1st woman home, 6th overall in 4:50:12.