Strong Sidmouth Running Club presence at the Otter Rail and River 10k and Fun Run

There was a sea of green at Saturday 8 July's Otter Rail and River 10k when nearly 50 adult and junior members of Sidmouth Running Club took part and even the rain part way through didn't dampen their MG spirit.

Juniors Dominic, John, Marcus and Amelia represented the club as they lined up at 10.30am to start the mile long Jackie Box fun run. It didn't take them long; the adults were soon cheering them over the line before their 10.40am group photo! All the runners received a medal and a jelly snake which Amelia for one enjoyed.

Following the adult team photo, which almost everyone was in, a hearty 'Happy Birthday' was sung to MG Marion Johnson who was celebrating her 75th birthday by running the race with some of her family!

The event raises much needed funds for Tiptons' community owned playing field which is where the start/finish was. The route is through the beautiful Otter Valley following the river to Harpford, through the woods along the old railway line to Tipton and a loop back around to the finish line. Despite the rain earlier in the week the ground was very hard, rutty and stony in places which made for tricky running. This did not hinder Colin Ryan, first MG over the finish line, 27th out of a field of 233, in 46:35, 1st MV60. SRC's website officer, Rob Edwards was 1st MV70 in 58.32 and Junior leader Catherine Hilton was 1st local lady home (not for the first time!) in 55.26. They were presented with a trophy and all finishers received a bottle of Otter Ale.

There were several members wearing their Mighty Green shirts at an event for the first time including Jack Crathern, Georgie Lamprill, Alice Gill, Haiden Clapp and the dynamic trio Lucia Hofstetter, Grace and Hannah Wightman. These ladies joined the beginners' course in January and set themselves the target to run this 10k event, which they did confidently, with smiles on their faces and with their families cheering them on. They are great club ambassadors.

Special mentions must go to MG David Wright for running it twice (once to check the course was clear), club chairman Terry Bewes for liaising with Race Director Jemma Wiltshire and setting up the start/finish line, Jemma and her team for organising this popular local event, press officer Alexa Baker for leading the junior and adult warm ups and the runners who came to the aid of a MG that took a tumble. 

Race results: Colin Ryan 46:35; Louise Dalton 48:28; Tom Knight 48:46; Colin L'Anson 50:36; David King 52:24; Amanda Stokes 53:33; Suzi Rockey 53:54; Ed Brougham 54:18; Becky Knapman 54:34; Richard King 55:24; Catherine Hilton 55:26; Shaun Tipton 55:57; Yasmin Salter 57:08; Katy Cartwright 57:53; Tim Swarbrick 57:58; Rob Edwards 58:32; Christine Farnham 58:32; Naomi Garrick 59:39; Cheryl Boulton 59:46; Charlie Fawell 60:19; Brigid McEleney-Smith 63:02; Sarah Clapham 66:04; Alice Gill 66:25; David Wright 69:43; Haiden Clapp 69:49; Grace Wightman 69:48; Jo Earlam 70:38; Leeann Thomson 70:57; Jack Crathern 72:14; Georgie Lamprill 72:15; Carol McManus 74:30; Jim Hudson 74:31; Liz Wright 74:32; Nikita Kay 75:01; Marion Johnson 79:08; Ann Cole 79:10; Tracy Scannell 81:30; Lucia Hofstetter 81:48; Emma Grainger 82:30; Hannah Wightman 82:34; Alison Long 82:53; Alexa Baker 82:53; Doreth Lawrence 85:09; Judith Jeeves 85:10.