Can YOU help successful Sidmouth Running Club Juniors grow?

The SRC Juniors have been running since 2018 and is going from strength to strength. They have a strong group of run leaders, led by England Athletics qualified juniors coach Kerry Boyle.

Children from across the local area are coming to the club and as they welcome more children in they are also looking for more willing volunteers.

Wednesday evening saw the end of term session for the 8+, 11+, and 12+ Junior groups. The 11+ group in particular enjoyed their run with a view and chocolate!

Run leader Adrian Horne who helps with the group said: "Well done to assistant coach Claire Ashby who plans the sessions. Her group are really coming on and managed nearly 3 miles on Wednesday!"

Run leader Charlotte Forrer said: "All the age groups have had a brilliant term learning the fundamentals of athletics.

"From 8 years England Athletics recommends that children develop all their skills in running, jumping and throwing which is why we keep our sessions varied and multi-skilled.

"This helps the Sidmouth Juniors to stay healthy as they are growing and developing. We are indebted to our team of assistants, Leeann Thomson, Sharon Hunt, Catherine Hilton, Tim Daffron and Adrian."

The feedback from the children has been very positive and encouraging.

In the 8+ group, Iz said: "I love running club as I get to make new friends and keep fit."

Zac said: "I love spending time with my friends and love how kind Charlie is."

Louis, in the 11+ group, said: "The best about running is the views."

Izzie T said: "Running club has been amazing; it's been great fun doing it."

The running club is hosting a training event on 12 September for run leaders and parents that would like to be more involved.

The leaders will go through the main skills that they teach, play a few of the games and have a bit of a celebration of everything they have achieved so far.

The running club is also happy to support its members to get extra qualifications through England Athletics so that they can feel even more prepared.

Reservations are now being taken for their September term. This summer they were full so make sure you get onto the waiting list by emailing [email protected]

Hot! Hot! Hot! Haytor Heller

On Saturday 17th July Antony Hall was questioning why he had signed up to run the Haytor Heller on possibly the hottest day of the month so far!

Organised by Teignbridge Trotters to celebrate their 35th anniversary, the hilly, rugged terrain certainly put the Mighty Green to the test.

The 5.30pm start didn't bring cooler temperatures but Antony completed the 10k course in 00:54:12, 30 seconds behind the first woman home in an impressive 25th place. No wonder he found it hard work in the heat!

Mighty Green Derek clocks up 1407k

Two weeks ahead of the target he set himself, Derek Blackburn completed the Virtual 2021 Lands End to John O'Groats challenge with an 11.32km run along the North Devon coast path. The Mighty Green started on 1 January and has been logging all his runs and walks to notch up the 1407k required to complete this amazing achievement.

Hosepipes cool Kirsteen as she blazes ahead!

Kirsteen Welsh has done it again setting a new woman's course record at the Frome Half Marathon on Sunday!

Despite the temperature hitting 29 degrees and the hilly first half, Kirsteen was the first lady over the finish line, 6th overall and completed the course in 1:21:13, smashing the existing woman's course record.

The Mighty Green said: "The residents of Frome were legends, they came out to cheer the runners on and cooled them down by spraying us with hose pipes!"

Dolphins and puffin medals make a hot half marathon worthwhile

Further afield on Sunday Debbie and Don Cawthera ran the Lundy Island Half Marathon.

Deb said: "It was the hottest, slowest half marathon I have ever done!"

The Mighty Greens saw dolphins on the way back and received a lovely puffin medal which made the event very memorable.