If you heard Sidmouth Running Club’s chairman Terry Bewes on BBC Radio Devon recently you will already know that the club is busy preparing for their main fundraiser of the year, JP’s Exe to Axe race.
But did you know it will be the 20th year of the race and that it was renamed in memory of John Perratt, founding member and long term treasurer of SRC?
Race director Adrian Harris said “If you love East Devon and trail running, you are probably familiar with the three early season distance races: the Four Trigs [4 February], the Grizzly [17th March] and finally the Exe to Axe [7 April]. I've finished mid-pack in each of these on several occasions. Each is unique.
“The Four Trigs starts and finishes in Sidmouth. It's a friendly, low key 17 mile run that (as the name suggests) visits four Trig Points. If you are young, you may be unfamiliar with Trigs Points (triangulation stations), which are concrete posts built on top of hills by the Ordnance Survey while they waited for the invention of satellites.
“The Grizzly is THE big race, known country wide. These days you can only enter by ballot. It's the race to enter if you want a tough 20-mile run amongst 2,000 runners and hordes of supporters. The part that I enjoy most are the motivational phrases that pepper the course: "You don't stop running because you grow old, you grow old because you stop running", etc.
“I love each of these races, but my heart is with the Exe to Axe. The Exe to Axe follows the South West Coast Path for 22 miles from Exmouth to Seaton. The challenging route with 1,300m of ascent is a showcase for Devon's most dramatic coastline.
“If you are fast for your age, you could win a handcrafted, oak chopping board from Honiton Hardwoods. However, if you are like me and more middle or back of the pack, you can enjoy the weighty medal and goodies provided by King's Garden Centres at the aid stations in Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Branscombe.
“And when you get to the finish, why not celebrate and buy a great coffee and some cake from the Nomadic Barista.”
To enter, visit www.siEntries.co.uk and search for Exe to Axe.
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