News in Sidmouth

There is always an opportunity to run over the Christmas period: Christmas Day parkrun at Seaton, the club's Boxing Day run and the New Year's Day parkrun at Exmouth, and many Mighty Greens got involved.

Whilst the turkey was cooking, club members David Skinner and Julia Haddrell plus her daughter Alex, took the opportunity to wear fancy dress and take part in the Seaton parkrun while Derek Blackburn with his daughter Grace lined up in Bushy Park with 1,600 park runners!

As mentioned before, Sidmouth Running Club is encompassing of all abilities, is supportive of one another and celebrates achievements and milestones together whatever the distance or time.

The club's web editor Rob Edwards has completed his mammoth virtual John o'Groats to Lands End and back again run with 4 weeks to spare before the year cut off point.

The SRC Juniors and coaches kick-started the festivities by wearing Christmassy things on their last session before the Christmas break.

They even had a visit from Father Christmas and his elf who congratulated the 8+ and 11+ groups, handed out their end of term certificates and gave them all a present.

On Sunday a group of Sidmouth Running Club Juniors wore their Mighty Green tops with pride as they took part in the Cranbrook Junior parkrun.

The parkrun is a free, fun friendly event which takes place every week at the Country Park for 4-14 year olds and the SRC Juniors thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the 2km out and back route.

Motivation to run is particularly hard in the dark damp months of winter, especially if you haven't done it for a while but Sidmouth Running Club has two great courses to get your running mojo back or started!

The popular eight-week beginners course (25 places) returns, perfect for those who have never run before. The aim is to build up technique and stamina over the eight weeks and be able to run a comfortable 5km all with support and encouragement from very friendly, understanding run leaders.

Following the wild winds on Saturday, the 37 Sidmouth Running Club members weren't sure what to expect when they arrived at Bicton College on Sunday to compete in Exmouth Harrier's Bicton Blister (10 miles) and Bicton Lite (4.5 miles).

As well as plenty of climb, encouraging cadets/marshals and bagpipes, the multi terrain race had additional extras this year-a telegraph pole to duck under in the road section, a fallen tree to climb over and icy puddles to run through.

SRC member Suzi Rockey packed her Mighty Green running kit when she went on holiday to Gran Canaria last week knowing there was a race scheduled that she could enter.

The keen MG went outside her 5k comfort zone and ran the 10k Maspalomas race in 20 degree heat.

Sidmouth Running Club member, Ollie Goodchild-Horne has completed the Tommy 10k challenge 2021 for the Royal British Legion Industries.

The Mighty Green had to run 10k a day for 10 days - an impressive 100k in total.

Sidmouth Running Club members Jo Earlam and David Knapman ran the Exeter Marathon on Sunday and at one point briefly ran together before David crossed the line and Jo had another lap to run.

In fact, David finished in second place in an unbelievable time of 2:35:27, just 8 seconds behind the winner! Not only has he smashed the club record by more than 5 minutes, the Mighty Green has earnt himself a Championship start in the London Marathon.

Score: 13-6 Gloucester (HT), 16-13 Exeter (FT)