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Sturminster Newton 1/2 Marathon

Location: Surminster Newton, North Dorset

Date: Sunday 2nd August 2009

Time: 10.30am

Race Memento: Tee shirt (with a choice of size!) and a cake.

Brief description of course: Undulating, particularly near the end with a lovely downhill finish. Some good scenery if I remember correctly!

Race Report:

From Richard Boulter

Excellent organisation. Really well marshalled & plenty of drinks stations & sponges

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

5k & fun runs for children as well as other attractions for spectators. Start is a 10 minute walk away from the race headquarters (and finish) so allow time to get there. Long queues for the toilets (& that's from a male so goodness knows how the ladies managed).

Otter Valley Rail and River Run 10K

Location: Tipton St John, Ottery St Mary

Date: Saturday 11th July 2009

Time: 10.30am

Race Memento: Various items (I had a Otter Brewery T.shirt).

Brief description of course: Multi-Terrain

Race Report:

From Valerie Hales

Well supported and Marshalled, 2 water stations and jelly babies, 119 finishers.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Very scenic, almost all off road, goes along a old disused railway line which has a slight incline and then through woods running along side the River Otter.

Saab Salomon Forest Trail 10k

Location: Moors Valley near Ringwood

Date: Thursday 2nd July 2009

Time: 07.00pm

Race Memento: Medal and goody bag

Brief description of course: The route follows forest trails through the pine plantations starting at the Go Ape centre at Moors Valley mainly flat with a short climb to the look post during the event

Race Report:

From Sue Fox

Organised by 209 events. Parking at the start no parking fee.144 runners took part well marked plenty of marshals and drink stations on a very hot and humid evening

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Well organised by 209. - Entry fee £13 on line. (No entries on the day)

Yeo Mill Yomp (10.5 Mile off road)

Location: West Anstey (edge of Exmoor)

Date: Sunday 28th June 2009

Time: 10.30am

Race Memento: Key Ring and £5 Tony Price voucher

Brief description of course: The route is a mainly off road on Exmoor with excellent views across the moor passing through the village of Hawkridge. Climbs over 1000 feet

Race Report:

From Sue Fox

This was a new event for 2009 organised by Tiverton Harriers. Race started at the farm opposite the village hall in the hamlet of West Anstey with the first 3 miles uphill to reach the moor then glorious running over the moorland through woods, fields, streams, and tracks finishing back down the hill into West Anstey..

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Well organised event with excellent refreshments in the village hall .Entry fee £8 (£10 on the day)

Martock 10K

Location: Martock, Somerset

Date: Sunday 21st June 2009

Time: 11.00am

Race Memento: Bottle of Cider

Brief description of course: Flat road course.

Race Reports:

From Pete Jakeman

As usual a well organised road race that starts from the Fire Station in Martock and attended this year by 20 Yeovil Town RRC Members.

As usual I went off too fast and recorded 5.25 during parts of the first kilometre, thankfully common sense prevailed and I settled down to 6.22 followed by 6.31, 6.52, 7.07, 6.40, 6.41 to record 41.25 on my Garmin which equals my PB.

I did have the encouragement of finding Gareth Ashmead in my sights near the end but he held on to finish 3 seconds in front of me. To be fair Gareth had run 50+ miles this week as part of his marathon training.

Once we had rehydrated Gareth, Tim Hawkins and I went off for a 2km warm down.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

A nice touch was to find a sports & massage therapist (Elizabeth Hanson - 07866532450) in the Fire Station offering free five minute leg massages post race.

From Richard Boulter

A no frills event, well organised & well marshalled over a Flattish course with a few undulations

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Midsummer Dream

Location: Beer, Devon

Date: Saturday 20th June 2009

Time: 12.17pm

Race Memento: none

Brief description of course: well marked, with marshals and some police at road crossings. It was a summer Grizzly, with a cream tea stop.

Race Report:

From Andy Goodman

It was not such a "Dream" this year, as there were no pub stops, just the cream tea stop!!

It was a new route, by-passing all pubs so as to avoid temptation. This was not 100% successfully, as I know of at least one person who diverted via The Fountains Head.

I am told that 180 people ran the demanding 16.5 mile course, with a few unclaimed numbers from people who did not turn up on the day. The start was a bit more subdued than some years, but quite a few groups ran in fancy dress and some of the hashers had a drink before they started.

There was no official timing, but we were booked in to check that everybody gotback. The course had a few places where short cuts could be taken. and as they booked in several people said that they had done so.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

For anybody thinking of taking part next year, it is worth looking at this years information on the Axe Valley Runners web page in case it is removed - http://www.axevalleyrunners.org.uk/races/

Forde Abbey

Location: Forde Abbey, Dorset/Somerset border

Date: Thursday 4th June 2009

Time: 07.00pm

Race Memento:

Brief description of course:

Race Report:

From Phil MacQuaid

Thursday evening - Pub run cancelled - Nothing else to do so might as well do the Forde Abbey 10k cross country, Check the map eventually find the place, get explicit directions from Google maps.

No problems only got lost three times, and I've been there before. Eventually following a car full of athletic looking running types we followed the signs for "Forde Abbey" Well I followed the signs they turned off, and as I arrived there they were, all changed and ready to race, Ah! "You shouldn't have followed the signs they take you the long way round" I was informed. "Note for next year ignore all maps and signs". Mind you the other 224 runners seemed to have managed to find the place OK so maybe it's just me!

Because I knew I might be late arriving I had arranged for my number to be ready for me. A short gentle warm up then spotted the finish on top of the incline. Also spotted some twenty plus club members, all gearing themselves up for the coming race. It's amazing how many people warm up by standing around talking, whilst other use up all their spare energy running about.

The race briefing was concise and reminiscent of a briefing from either Matt Driver or Lin Lascelles "totally wrong" the course was not dry underfoot; the river crossings were not shallow, the long grass was well trampled when I got to it.

On the dot of seven we were off, well everyone else was, I just struggled along. Tracks, paths, stony underfoot, rutted grass tracks. Up hill down dale through the Devon forests still water logged & tree strewn from the winter storms. Still on we plodded till eventually we appeared to be going downhill which meant either another hill to climb, or we were coming to the river crossing. It was the river, slide into the water as instructed, waist high he said, then why did I go in up to my shoulders, Then the dulcet tones of Martin Chaffey encouraging every one on, and no doubt taking the photos that will at some later date be used to either embarrass or blackmail us. Out of the river less than a 'K' to go then the next water crossing, which unlike the briefing was not a step into the water more a slide and a fall and on to the incline to the finish. With a prospective over taker on my shoulders it was only the encouragement of the club members who had already recovered that kept me that one place ahead as I climbed what had now become Mount Everest Then it was all over, cup of water in hand wishing it was a pint of Yeovil Ale. Arranged with those who wanted to meet up at the Windwhistle for a meal. The one mistake of the evening, as we were not really welcomed and no way were they going to do meals after nine, so some went hungry

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Brill race well organised extremely well marshalled, even the water stop was where they said it would be.

Next year ignore the signs saying "Forde Abbey" - Follow someone who knows the way there - Organise the pub beforehand.

Such a popular race that in future car parking could be a problem. Maybe we could organise transport or car sharing.

Cowpat Canter

Date: Sunday 17th May 2009

Time: 11.00am

Race Memento: glass paperweight in a presentation box.

Brief description of course: Starting from a field near the Midsomer Norton Rugby Club approxiamtely 12km of undulating, largely off-road running along paths, over stiles, across fields, country lanes, muddy bits - but opportunities to clean your trainers courtesy of the pond and river! A delightfully scenic course.

Race Report:

From Annie Ashmead

Over 200 runners (including 9 from YTRRC) assembled for the start of the Cowpat Canter at the top of the first field. Race began with one lap which soon spread out the competitors and for those of us at the 'social' end, it was a very pleasantly paced run along country paths and fields with quite a number of queues/chat-stops at the stiles (this is not the race if you're looking to get a pb!). Mainly fields in the first half (as well as some fantastic muddy bits, the pond and the river which can not be avoided!) with some on-road in the second half after the farm. Weather on the whole was fine (considering the rather inclement start to the day) but for those of us near the pack of the pack, the last couple of miles got progressively grimmer as the rain started coming down with a vengeance and crossing the finish line we looked like drowned rats. But fortunately the rugby club has great facilities, including hot showers - fantastic for those who've remembered to bring a towel and some dry underwear!.

We all stayed on for the prize-giving; Paul Rose adding to his collection of trophies as well as the top four Yeovil guys (Paul Rose, Rod Appleby, Gareth Ashmead & Richard Dodge) getting the male team prize!! Unfortunately only 3 of us Yeovil ladies ran so not enough to make us eligible for the female team prize.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Great showers - remember to bring along a towel and dry underwear!.

Penselwood 10K

Location: Penselwood, Wincanton

Date: Sunday 19th April 2009

Time: 11.00am

Race Memento: None - certificate

Brief description of course: A rather undulating scenic road route.

Race Report:

From Brian Mountjoy-Row

After registration in the village hall along side the church, warm up is a gentle rise to the start 500 meters away. Congregating at the start were club members Mike & Sam Harvey, Rod Appleby, Steve Sparks, Andy Scard, Malcolm Maxted, Emma Dunn, Annie Ashmead, Corrine & Adam Hawkins. An injured Jane Mills was helping out at the finish line.

The race starts and proceeds down and passed the village hall and continues down ward for the next 1.5K . This course is a fast start with the first 2K completed in under 8 minutes. Then the first rise short and sharp before undulating to 4.6K and turning around a lake. Climbing through 5K Malcolm came up on my shoulder and after a further K managed to pull away, but I managed to keep in touch to the finish. This part of the route is undulating through woods, which were just bursting into life looking good in bright green. From 7.2 to 8K is a nice gentle climb with some changes of gradient. Then its all slightly down to the finish, passing through the start line. The race was won in just over 39 Minutes by Mike Harvey, collected one of the biggest cups seen at local runs. .

I managed to lay a ghost at the race, having previously pulled a calf muscle on the down hill section a week prior to London marathon..

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon

Date: Sunday 5th April 2009

Time: 10.00am

Race Memento: medal and a tee shirt (with a choice of size!) and a goody bag of snack bars & water.

Brief description of course: Mainly flat with a shortish hill after 1 mile and another at 9 miles, otherwise like the proverbial pancake. Excellent for a fast time when there is no wind.

Race Report:

From Richard Boulter

Superb Organisation and the sun shining made for an excellent day out on Bournemouth seafront. My time was nearly 2 1/2 minutes faster than last year so well pleased with the result.

Paul Rose was 8th in 1:17:58 though I didn't get to speak to him.

Ian Mathieson was 353rd in 1:42:09 (chip time) which was 2 minutes faster than last year (though he is not sure if he is a paid up club member as he can't remember if he paid his club subs last year.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

On a nice day it's a good family day out with several different fun races and events and attractions for kids as well as the beach to play on. Maybe remember to take a £2 coin with you so you can get an ice cream at the finish! (This was my first ever race in 1983 and I remember being handed an ice lolly as I crossed the finish line!).

Exe to Axe

Date: Sunday 5th April 2009

Time: 10.30am

Race Memento: Drinks container

Brief description of course: Bloody hard, alright, it follows the Coastal path from Exmouth to Seaton and the Hills are included for the Race fee of £8.

Race Report:

From Pete Jakeman

Organisation to get the runners from Seaton to Exmouth went well and the Race set off on time after a plea from the Race official not to get lost!.

On a day like today the views are superb, if it had been raining with high winds then this race report would read a lot differently. It is hard, make no mistake but the sense of achievement on finishing it and standing waist deep in the sea afterwards - well what can you say? No answers please.

The second half of the race after Sidmouth is the tough part, not only the uphill but the downhill bits are equally difficult, for me the run down into Weston was scary.

The remainder of the race was just a slog up the next hill and down the other side. I had decided before the race to treat this as a long training run so I worked hard not to get involved in chasing people down.

It's a hard race but I think it's one for you to put in your diaries for next year - if you dare.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

5km Series - Street

Date: Wednesday 11th March 2009

Time: 07.30pm

Race Memento:

Brief description of course: 5 times around the town in a left turn configuration.

Race Report:

From Pete Jakeman

Grizzly legs did not help when lining up on the start line. The first 3km were on target for a 20 minute race but from then on the legs got heavy and I only managed a 20.22 finish, although my placing was the same as last month.

Definitely one to forget and put down as mileage.

Other members of the team did well with BMR winning the 60+ title and Martin Lascelles receiving the Vet 40 prize (series and race) with wife Lin being first lady home tonight.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Combe Saint Nicholas 10K

Date: Sunday 1st March 2009

Time: 10.45am

Race Memento: A Tee Shirt for £3 additional fee.

Brief description of course: Undulating road race with an up hill start for 1.5K then a gradual descent to 5K followed by a climb to 7K ,of which 250m was steep, then downwards to 8K then up to 9K with the final K down hill to a sting in the tail of 200m upwards and the finish on grass.

Race Report:

From Brian Mountjoy-Row

The organisation of the race was very good. Entries at the school, good brief at the start, well marshalled and the finish and presentation good.

Debbie Neal navigated me around the back lanes to Combe St Nicholas school for registration then a gentle warm up and checking out the finish route. Seven club members in green and white lined up for a whistle start before climbing the first rise. Going passed the church Simon passed me, but I kept him in sight along church path where Martin steamed past. I managed to collect myself and caught him at the 2K marker as we descended. You can always hear Martin in a race so I had warning of the next members to pass me, Jack and Andrew gradually pulled away even though it was down hill. I did manage to close them at the drinks station before the undulation turned into a nasty little hill. Jack walked a couple of paces which gave me just the inspiration I needed to push on past and pull away as it levelled out. The course then meandered making it more difficult try and catch the members ahead. At 8K I had them in sight but way above my head, still I able to pass other runners on this and the last stretch to the finish. Then it was a drink and cheer in rest of the team.

The other YTRRC runners were Simon Rowbottom, Andrew Windram, Jack Frost, Martin Chaffey, Debbie Neal, Val Hales and Jim Wagstaff.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Dalwood Three Hills

Date: Sunday 22nd February 2009

Time: 11.00am

Race Memento: Delightful garish orange T shirt.

Brief description of course: a hint from the name of the race.

Race Report:

From Lin Lascelles

A low key, mainly off road 10 miler through some great countryside. Not a race to do if you don't like getting your feet wet - there are at least three river crossings including an inventive finish in the village where the bridge is out of bounds and you go through the river with the finish line on the far bank. The off road is mainly tracks with a few fields in between and quite a lot of mud. A fair bit of climbing, including one particularly cruel diversion near the end - just when you think you've finally reached the top - but when you do finally reach the top a lovely long sweep back down to the village across several fields and of course, the nice cool dip at the end.

Martin had a really good run - despite leaving his off road running shoes behind and having to wear a pair of Aldi £2.99 trainers that just happened to be in the car! (He said they were fine and he's never paying £70 for a pair of proper running shoes again!). He finished in 1.22, well ahead of my 1.31. My old legs haven't recovered from the Four Trigs last weekend and I found the whole thing a bit of a struggle. It was good enough to give me 2nd place in the ladies race - there was an impressive display of silverware on show and it's the first time I've ever been presented with a cup and told, "Take a photo of it and give it back because you can't keep it". What was the point of that I wonder?!!.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Don't expect any information ahead of the race - all you get in your s.a.e is your race number, and the entry form isn't particularly informative. However, Dalwood is a small village - even we didn't get lost.

Babcary 7.5

Date: Sunday 22nd February 2009

Time: 11.00am

Race Memento: Small engraved glass.

Brief description of course: Up hill start then 7.5 miles of undulating rural roads to a down hill finish . A loop from Babcary playing fields through South and North Barrow and back.

Race Reports:

From Pete Jakeman

Registered for the race and ended up with Ines and a group of her Trotters, administered to their needs with a bit of massage and the use of "start" cream. I got off to a good start and ended up running with Steve Sparks for the first couple of miles, after that I pushed on a bit and was very conscious that I might blow up after the exertions of yesterday. Anyway continued on and managed to maintain around a 7 minute mile pace, quite windy on parts of the course but no rain.

Finally the downhill to the finish, didn't pass anyone but no one overtook me. I was 2 minutes 20 seconds quicker than last year but 12 places further back (33rd).

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

The cakes produced by the ladies of the village are well worth it and if you think you might be closer to the back of the field then I suggest you buy yours before the race starts to ensure you don't lose out.

From Steve House

On a fresh clear day I got to the playing field car park with about 10mins to spare ready for a quick warm up before a prompt 11:00am start. I felt I got off to a slow start as many runners passed me immediately on an uphill first quarter mile. As I settled into the race I felt that the hills were fairly kind and I was able to keep my usual 7minute mile pace. I could see Pete Jakeman about 150m in front of me at the 4mile mark so I dug In thinking I could reel him in but couldn't ( I've been training hard for a marathon lately, that's my excuse!). The Course was fairly flat between miles 5 and 7after running passed North Barrow, which led back down the hill we started on from the playing fields. I enjoyed a well organised local race finishing in about 52mins (just behind Pete). Tea and Cakes were good too.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Walnut cake was better than the flapjacks.

From Brian Mountjoy-Row

Race Report: YTRRC were prominent on the start line with Paul Rose, Pete Jakeman, Steve Sparks and me on the front row. On the initial up hill start loads of runners passed me as I slowly got into my stride, then as it levelled off I could still see Pete, Steve, Scott Quayle, Steve House and a lady in YTRRC colours (who is it?) ahead. Through the first mile in 7:25 (good I'm schedule for under the hour finish). Just after the two mile mark Dave Boyer came up on my shoulder and had a chat, once he found out it was a club championship race he pulled away with Simon Rowbottom in following a few steps behind. Does the mind play tricks? The course seem to have more uphill inclines, my lack of hill training is now showing. At four miles in 30:30 Jane Miles came lopping past me. I gave her the target of the three club runners 100-125 yards ahead. As I trundled on I watched the quartet ahead changing places, but still managed to hold the distance steady. Just after six miles, smile for the camera as, I passed the watching Sue and Fred Fox. Now comes the time to dig in as I haven’t run over 6 miles since mid January. Ah the seven mile mark its all down hill from here and I still have club members in view ahead. The line in 59:09, good I'm under the hour, target achieved. As I head for a cup of tea and a cake I see last years time of 54:35 Oh! Where did that 4:30 go??
The race was won by Mitch Piddock in 42:59 5sec ahead of Paul Rose.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

A good warm up before the start, so you are ready for the first lung bursting hill.

Sue Fox enjoying the Dart Winter Trail Run

Date: Sunday 18th January 2009

Time: 11.00am

Race Memento: t-shirt

Brief description of course: Starts from the River Dart Country Park on the edge of Dartmoor on a route that took in sections of the Two Moors Way including New Bridge and Dr Blackall's Drive climbing to 1140 feet at the highest point on Bel Tor corner, the first 5.5 miles were covered in reverse on the way back so you had the pleasure of running down the hills on the way back that you ran up on the way out (and vice versa). A mix of mud and decent stony tracks and there was about 8 miles of road.

Race Report:

From Fred Fox

This looked an intriguing run (especially for January) and when the blizzard set in with half an hour to go it looked like it was going to be very interesting, But, as if to prove that the weather on Dartmoor is amongst the most unpredictable places in the UK, as quickly as the weather set in, it cleared again to leave bright blue sky.

55 runners set of on a hilly little affair that was advertised as 14 miles (but they lied a bit), the choice of shoes was a difficult decision due to the amount of road. The route was well marshalled and marked and there didn't seem to be too much chance of going wrong

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

The run itself was organised by another yet another company who seem to have cropped up organizing events (Accelerate Event Management) who seem to specialise in endurance events and challenges mostly which seem to be triathlon based. This is by far their shortest event being 16.5 miles (and you don't need to swim or cycle).

this could be a totally different run in bad weather although you are not on remote sections of moorland

Oh! My Obelisk - 11.5 miles

Location:Dawlish Warren, Devon

Date: Sunday 11th January 2009

Time: 11.00am

Race Memento: Nice T-shirt

Brief description of course: Quite hilly course out & around Dawlish, up through estate to an Obelisk (a bit like the water tower that used to be at Tower Road - couldn't see it until you were on it!)

Race Report:

From Martin Chaffey

Well organised race by Dawlish Coasters. Very cold day and one of those when you know you are going to have an awful run from about a mile in - when you know that 11.5 miles is going to feel a very loooong way! (In fact I knew it was a bad day from the outset - early start and windscreen washer failed before I got to Ilminster & had to stop frequently to clean windscreen with a wet sock!) A few nice hills, with a muddy climb at halfway to the Obelisk (which in itself was not very exciting). Out and back course with a loop at the end meant that you knew how far you had to struggle back, which is a good thing. Nice views from the high bits.

Any points of interest / useful tips?:

Nice event with good crowd. Facilities at race HQ were excellent - nice hot showers! Some talk that the event may step up to half marathon next year - not sure I would have made another 2 miles on race day!

If you go next year, make time to go into Dawlish & see the black swans.