What a Grizzly the 2018 event was! Plagued by forecasts of doom the Grizzly committee lead by race director Tony Smith (after consulting various agencies) were forced to cut the event short and even then, as the snow came with blizzard like conditions on Beer Common wondered if they had made the correct decision, writes Dave Mutter.

As it turned out it was the perfect decision with runners and frozen marshals enjoying the spectacle.

Those marshal’s groups were rewarded last Friday evening with £30,200 split over more than 70 organisations / charities that had pledged to help the event.

Each group received a different amount with the most going to St John Ambulance with £3,000.

Many representatives gave a short talk on where the money would be spent ranging from agricultural projects in Africa, to Hall kitchen extensions and a footpath around Borrow Pit.

Since 1997 the Grizzly has now generated over £397,000 for various charities. Of course, the event could not be put on without a committee of volunteers and the 2018 committee were: Tony Smith, Carol Austin, Phil Bayliss, Becky Davey, Steve Haines, Chris Hill, Tim Sibley, Eleanor and Rick Wood.

Running has become mainstream and most other major events are run by paid staff, the Grizzly remains totally voluntary so many, many congratulations to the committee for putting on another superb event under very difficult circumstances.

We now look forward to the next Grizzly which takes place on Sunday, March 10, 2019.