The Grizzly Report

Around 1,500 runners took on the challenge of the Saucony Grizzly - reputed to be the toughest multi terrain race in Europe - over 20 miles of cliffs, bogs and pebbly beaches.

The winner on Sunday, claiming his third Grizzly victory, was Plymouth postman Neil Holmes.

Although his winning margin was three and a half minutes, the 40-year-old Erme Valley Harrier did not have an easy ride in the early stages because of the fast pace set by a breakaway group of three, which included local jockey Paul Holley from the home club, Axe Valley Runners.

Holmes was adrift in fourth place and for a while it looked as if it just wasn't going to be his day. However, the experience of running in nine previous Grizzlies and never finishing outside the top three, eventually showed. The early fast pace took its toll and Holmes gradually closed.

Between 10 and 13 miles, Holley and Holmes - the two race favourites - battled it out at the front, but then Holmes pulled away to finish in 2.12.08.

"I thought the start of the race was a bit too quick," Holmes said afterwards. "But all the time I could see the leaders I wasn't worried.

"I knew Paul Holley would probably be the biggest threat; he ran very well to win the Dalwood Three Hills recently and beat me by three minutes. But I felt strong at eight miles and they started to come back to me."

The surprise runner-up was Anthony Hatchard, of Exmouth Harriers, competing in not only his first Grizzly, but his longest race ever.

Staying off the fast, early pace paid off for him, too, and the 28-year-old also worked his way through the field, moving up from ninth position over the final five miles.

In her fourth Grizzly, first lady home was Sharon Daw, from East Cornwall Harriers. After finishing third for the past two years, she threw her arms up in delight as she finished in 2.38.41 - 57th overall.

Her morning's work had started long before she lined up for the tough, 20-mile race. The mother of two, who has a farm near Callington, had been up at 6am helping to milk 50 cows.

Local club runners finishing in the top 50 out of the 1,488 finishers - 2nd Anthony Hatchard (Exmouth H) 2.17.39; 14th Dave Stone (Exmouth H) 2.26.10; 15th Steve Hockings-Thompson (Exmouth H) 2.26.26; 19th Kevin Hawker (Honiton RC) 2.28.50; 20th Ian Andrews (SWRR) 2.28.54; 23rd Rod Hole (SWRR), 2.29.35; 29th Paul Holley (Axe Valley Runners) 2.30.27; 40th Tarow Agui (Exeter H) 2.35.01; 46th Jonathan Croome (Exmouth H, 2.35.38.

(Express & Echo - 15th March 2005)