Sidmouth Running Club: 'Grizfest' and The Grizzly awash with Mighty Greens of all ages
By Guest
10th Mar 2022 | Local Sport
Heading to Seaton on Saturday afternoon the SRC juniors really enjoyed taking part in the junior Cub and junior Grizzly. Proudly wearing the Mighty Green Hamish Bishop, John Dunsford, Hunter Ingram, Flynn Lancaster, Amalie and Barney Baxter, Ru and Taya Meek ran in the 2k cub for 8-11 year olds with Barney coming 8th. Dominic Hall, Isabel and Louis Galvez competed in the Grizzly and all enjoyed the experience.
All the juniors came away buzzing from the supportive atmosphere.
Then on Sunday at 10.30am, 70 Mighty Greens lined up with 1,141 other runners from all over the world. There was disappointment for several SRC runners though, as covid had caught up with them and despite all the hours of training were unable to compete.
The Grizzly has a reputation, not just for the race itself but for its slick organisation by Axe Valley Runners and they excelled themselves again this year. From the commentary and mass singalong at the start, to the army of friendly, encouraging marshals, Beer coastguards on hand on the Stairway to Heaven, Drum 4 Fun sounding amazing heading out of Seaton, Saxminster at Beer, Taiko, the Japanese drummers on Branscombe beach which you could hear way before you could see them, the remembrance tree, The Fountaineers not forgetting the sweets, beer, rum and flapjack on offer.
There were a few first timers in the group who despite hearing the tales about running on pebbles, through rivers and losing shoes in the very muddy sections were strangely looking forward to it. What they didn't anticipate was the support of the community, people of all ages were lining the streets, popping up in isolated areas, some with instruments, some with balloons, all clapping and cheering, some family and friends but mostly not-they have no idea how much it spurs you on and makes you smile especially at mile 17,18,19!
At the end of the run, 9 miles for the Cub, 20 miles for the full Grizzly, there was a story to share; behind the tiredness and stiffness, there was a sense of achievement, the training had paid off, The Grizzly had been conquered!
Over in Exmouth six Mighty Greens took part in the Spring Bradleys 10k organised by LME events. Jack Wilson not only came 9th overall in 41:02 but knocked 4 minutes off his PB. Naomi Loosemore also got a new PB 56:12, coming in after Jamie Locke, 48:12 and Shaun Tipton, 51.59. Gail Goldsmith came first in her age category in 1:00:34 with Marion Johnson hot on her heels, 1:02:44.
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