Sidmouth Running Club out in force for Otter race

Juniors Dominic, John, Marcus and Amelia represented the club as they lined up at 10.30am to start the mile long Jackie Box fun run. All the runners received a medal and a jelly snake which Amelia for one enjoyed.

Following the adult team photo, which almost everyone was in, a hearty ‘Happy Birthday’ was sung to MG Marion Johnson, who was celebrating her 75th birthday by running the race with some of her family!

The event raises much needed funds for Tipton’s community-owned playing field. The route is through the beautiful Otter Valley following the river to Harpford, through the woods along the old railway line to Tipton and a loop back around to the finish line.

Despite the rain earlier in the week, the ground was very hard, rutty and stony in places, which made for tricky running. This did not hinder Colin Ryan, first MG over the finish line, 27th out of a field of 233, in 46:35, 1st MV60. SRC’s website officer, Rob Edwards was 1st MV70 in 58.32 and Junior leader Catherine Hilton was 1st local lady home (not for the first time!) in 55.26. They were presented with a trophy and all finishers received a bottle of Otter Ale.

There were several members wearing their Mighty Green shirts at an event for the first time, including Jack Crathern, Georgie Lamprill, Alice Gill, Haiden Clapp and the dynamic trio Lucia Hofstetter, Grace and Hannah Wightman. These ladies joined the beginners’ course in January and set themselves the target to run this 10k event, which they did confidently, with smiles on their faces and with their families cheering them on.

Special mentions must go to MG David Wright for running it twice (once to check the course was clear), club chairman Terry Bewes for liaising with Race Director Jemma Wiltshire and setting up the start/finish line, Jemma and her team for organising this popular local event, press officer Alexa Baker for leading the junior and adult warm ups and the runners, who came to the aid of an MG that took a tumble.