Sidmouth celebrates 50th Anniversary of the SW Coast Path

With club members and parents marshalling the route down to the grassy slope above Jacobs Ladder, their first chance to get wet and have fun loomed. Tony Sarsby and his Sidmouth Fit crew had set up a water slide which was thoroughly enjoyed.

SRC 11+ leader Adrian Horne said what a brilliant well organised event it was, and it was great to be in collaboration with Sidmouth Fit. Club chairman Terry Bewes would like to thank everyone involved, especially Tony Sarsby and the Sidmouth Fit crew for making the event such a success but most of all the children and their parents.

SRC run leader Alexa Baker swapped her trainers for walking boots to lead a walk around the Sidmouth Ring on Saturday. They set off from Kings Garden and Leisure Centre and headed to Core Hill to pick up the trail.

The rain showers became a bit more persistent as they approached the SW coast path and waterproof trousers were donned but it did not dampen the spirit especially as the free cream tea was fast approaching. So much so a short cut was required on top of Salcombe Hill to divert down Milltown Lane and up through Woolbrook to make sure they didn’t miss the 3.30pm deadline. The walkers received a lovely welcome from Georgia and her team at Kings.

Sid Valley Cycle Club joined in the celebrations by having a club ride on Sunday morning, taking in the coast path and visiting three beaches, Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth.

SRC member Chris Heywood swapped his Mighty Green shirt for his SVCC one and joined 30 club riders for the 62km round trip.

Also, on Sunday morning, 12 members of Axe Vale Canoe Club set off in sunshine from Seaton to enjoy the SW coastline from the sea as they paddled to Branscombe and back.

Ted Swain from East Devon Ramblers led a walk along the Coleridge Link, open to everyone as part of the celebrations, which included a lovely afternoon tea at Newton Poppleford village hall. 31 walkers and two dogs joined leader Ted to walk the 8.5 mile scenic route and a special mention must go to Martin Pratt who took part in the Sidmouth Ring walk and this one, was it the lure of the cream teas?

Sunday saw the fruition of months of planning and organising for a small team of Mighty Greens (Terry Bewes, David Lee, Rob Edwards, Tim Clay, Alexa and Kyle Baker).

The inaugural Sweetcombe Scramble marathon and JP’s Exe to Axe race. At 8am, Melissa Butcher, the only marathon walker, set off under sunny skies with a matching smile as the marathon runners gathered for their 9am start.

The self-navigating route took them along the coast path to Budleigh Salterton, an inland loop to Otterton then back onto the coast path all the way to Axmouth. Sponsors Polly Cochrane and Alex Gwillim from Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays were at the finish line cheering the runners in and presented the overall winner James Blackbourn with a plaque, medal and lovely engraved Dartington glass vase.

James finished in 4:07:55, with Adam Gregory in second place in 4:19:37 and Matthew Harrison in third place 4:22:39. First lady over the finish line was Harriet Foreman in 5:19:24, Adele Foxwell was second in 5:19:37 and Harriet’s mum, Jenny Lailey came third in 5:26:04. They all received an engraved Dartington glass vase and a commemorative medal.

For the Mighty Green marathon runners, Jane Hemsworth came 1st in her age category and Mark Andow and Hannah Maslen came 3rd in their respective age categories. It was marathon 99 for Jo Earlam and she really appreciated marshal Richard King’s rendition of ’99 marathons’ to the tune of ’99 red balloons’ at the first water station.

The 19th JP’s Exe to Axe race was started at 10am by race director David Lee and David Perratt. The Exe to Axe race was renamed in memory of John Perratt, founding member and long term treasurer of Sidmouth Running Club and it was an honour to have son David, daughter Lynne and John’s wife, Brenda present throughout the event.

SRC had one relay team, Birds On The Run, with Ann Cole setting off with 11 other Mighty Greens ready to swop with Brigid McEleney-Smith at Sidmouth.

The total climb overall is higher than Ben Nevis. First to cross the finish line was Matt Clist in 3:05:26 and hot on his heels, Tim Lenton finished in 3:06:27 and James Green finished in 3rd place in 3:15:09. Brenda Perratt presented them with their well-deserved trophies and medals having cheered them over the line.

A special mention must go to one family who went the extra mile to celebrate the anniversary of the coast path; Justin Adkin rowed a single scull wave piercer from Exmouth to Axmouth, his brother Robert ran JP’s Exe to Axe race and his sister Emily Fabizio cycled from Beer to Exmouth, turned around and cycled to Axmouth, all starting at 10am!

Sidmouth Running Club would like to say a big thank you to their sponsors Sidmouth Town Council, Visit Sidmouth, Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays and councillor Ian Barlow for his vision, without which the weekend of celebrations would not have happened. This is true of the members of Sidmouth Running Club too who came on board supporting the events either by participating in them, marshalling them or both. A weekend to remember.