Honiton Running Club had a fantastic turnout for local Axe Valley Runners’ Grizzly and Cub runs last Sunday, writes Judy Davey.

The forecast was not brilliant and heavy rain was expected for about 1pm. However, the weather was perfect until about 3pm, allowing most of the runners to finish and the marshals to step down before the rain set in!

Runners found it extremely windy once they had reached the top of the infamous ‘Stairway to Heaven’, but the unpleasant conditions were short lived as runners only run a very short way along the coast path before heading inland to Beer Head Caravan Park, meaning that the wind was blowing behind runners actually helping them on their way.

Ian Stewart led the Honiton runners home for the nearly 20-mile Grizzly followed by Ben Stone who came 98th in exactly the same time as last year – just within the three hour mark.

Karl Hodson followed in 125th place in 3:04. Hadleigh Davies had a great run, finishing 152nd in 3:10 and was followed home by Steve Davey in 229th place in 3:18. Julie Payne led the ladies’ home, finishing 242nd in 3:19; a fantastic effort for her first Grizzly.

Tom Bornet finished 255th in 3:20 and was followed, four places and one minute later, by Judy Davey. Paul Williams only secured his Grizzly place two weeks before the event and did well to come 310th in 3:26. Mark Dallyn came exactly 400th in 3:34. Suzanne Spiller was next back coming 414th in 3:36 ahead of Steve Selley who struggled from the halfway mark. Steve was 430th in 3:37. Jack Cooper only got his place two days earlier so was pleased to come 438th in 3:38. Julian Gigg was next in 451st place in 3:39 and Simon Spiller who had run with his wife Suzanne for most of the race came 542nd in 3:45. Louise Crisp was next back in 599th place in 3:49 followed by Alasdair and Esme Moffett who had run together coming home in 703rd place in 3:56.

Lyn Pike stormed round the course to come 843rd in 4:09 ahead of Howard Bidmead who has been dogged by injury. He finished 867th in 4:11. Shane and Michaela Hudd also ran together finishing 880th in 4:13. Tony Peek followed in 1008th place in 4:21 and he was followed some time later by Joe Daly who finished 1330th in 5:10 ahead of Sharon Wells by five places and two minutes. There were 1415 finishers and the race was won by Ceri Rees in 2:17.

Some runners took the shorter option of the Cub event which is about nine miles, but certainly not to be underestimated!

Mark Andow led the Honiton contingent home, finishing 45th in 1:32 and he was followed by Katy Campbell who came 63rd in 1:37. Sarah Warren was not too far behind in 74th place in 1:38. Alan Nichols now lives in Wales, but took the trip to Seaton, finishing 142nd in 1:48. Denis Costello had a good run to come 174th in 1:52. Charlotte Boyes did well to come 248th in 2:02 and Val Hales came 316th in 2:09.

Pete Lyus ran with his daughter, Jo Taylor, and finished 343rd in 2:14.

The Honiton line-up was completed by Sara Trumper, Tracey Hailey and Jo Lowman who all ran together finishing 410th in 2:30. There were 446 finishers and the race was won by Justin Ashby in 1:06.

The day before, saw the running of the Junior Run and the Fun Run. Honiton’s Thomas Lilley took part in the junior event running well to finish 16th in 18 minutes 55 seconds. The race was won by AVR’s Ollie Caute in the great time of 15:02. There were 44 finishers.

Some of the club members youngsters took part in the fun run with Abigail Davies leading them back to come 99th in 12:49 followed by Max Spiller in 120th place in 13:32 and followed by his sister Ella who finished 165th in 16:07.

There were an amazing 174 runners and the race was won by Jacob Hale of Seaton Primary School.

Thanks must go to AVR for another fantastic Grizzly. It was brilliantly organised with plenty of local support along the route.

Thanks also to the many marshals, all of whom, who provided encouragement and much needed sustenance in the form of flap jack and jelly babies along the way. Thanks also to the landowners, sponsors and anyone else involved.