Arlington Court Canter 10k

Three Exmouth Harriers were among the field of 233 runners who competed in the Arlington Court Canter 10K Race on a scenic, undulating course through the extensive National Trust grounds at the country estate. The course is mostly off road and follows woodland trails, tracks, parks and lakes and takes in several testing climbs mixed in with some fast downhill and flat sections.

The race was won by John Ward of Bideford A C in 35:52. The three Exmouth Harriers were Ben White 97th, Nigel Dupain 98th and Emma Dupain 99th in 51:41, 51:42 and 51:44, respectively.

Tresco Marathon

The field of 125 for the Tresco Marathon, which was won by Bob Brown in 2:59:29, included Exmouth Harrier Richard Selby, competing in his first marathon for 22 years. He picked a beautiful but gruelling event for the occasion, because 7 ½ laps of an island with 4 hills on it means 30 hills in total!

The runners had a rude awakening when the boat taking them to the island put them down in the water, which they had to wade through, getting nice and wet in the process. Despite this, Richard thought the organisation was brilliant.

The conditions were reasonably good and Richard ran superbly to come 1st V55 and 10th overall in 3:26:22. He was very tired, but managed to maintain a steady pace throughout.

Richard was delighted that he was able to raise around £600 for the official marathon charity, Cystic Fibrosis and would like to thank all his sponsors, to whom he is extremely grateful.

The London Marathon

Exmouth Harrier Hugh Marsden delayed his return from the Falkland Islands Marathon last month so that, together with the winner, Simon Almond, he could be among the athletes who accompanied “Blind Dave” Heeley and his sighted guide, Malcolm Carr, on the first of his record-breaking “Seven Magnificent Marathons” in seven days on seven continents.

As many people are aware from the national media, only two internationally renowned British adventurers, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Dr Mike Stroud have achieved the feat before. “Blind Dave” has undertaken this extraordinary Challenge to increase awareness of visual impairment around the globe, to celebrate the independence, freedom and confidence that a guide dog provides and to raise as much funds as possible for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

The marathons, which were all successfully accomplished, were the Falkland Islands (Antarctica), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (South America), Los Angeles (North America), Sydney (Australasia), Dubai (Asia), Tunis (Africa) and finally, the Flora London Marathon (Europe).

Congratulations to “Blind Dave” and sighted guide Malcolm on a wonderful achievement!

The Kenyan Martin Lel won his third London Marathon title (his second in consecutive years), breaking the six-year old course record in 2:05:15 and leading three men under 2:06 for the greatest in-depth men’s marathon in history.

The first Exmouth Harrier to finish, after a great performance, was Dave Stone, 162nd in 2:38:49 and Adrian Kearns was 787th in 2:56:32. Peter McKeown was 3,918th in 3:28:06 and Trevor Cope was 13,907th in 4:22:53. Nigel Dupain finished 15,832nd in 4:33:35, having suffered with cramp in the last few miles. Colin Rowland was 20,355th in 5:09:55.

In the women’s event, Jo Darwood ran superbly to come 67th in 3:12:58. Hannah Dupain was very proud to be part of the elite ladies start, which she qualified for two years ago, but had to defer until after baby Aidan was born. Unfortunately, she started too quickly and paid the price in the last few miles, finishing 194th in 3:37:08. But as she only gave birth six months ago, all her family are very proud of her. She was very grateful to Dave Stone for being a great club member and taking the time to encourage her when she was beginning to flag.

Sister Emma Dupain was on target for 4 hours until she had to have pain killers at 23 miles for the inflamed hip which had prevented her from training for the last few weeks. She came 2,770th in 4:13:15, but managed to finish well.

Last but by no means least, that stalwart of Exmouth Harriers for a great many years, Jan Moulton, produced an excellent performance to break 5 hours by coming 67,25th in 4:58:08. Well done Jan, and all the other runners!!

Altogether 34,420 runners completed the 2008 London Marathon, making it the third largest in the 28-year history of the event.

(LT)

Bampton... Axe to Exe --- Teignbridge

Nine Exmouth Harriers competed in the Bampton to Tiverton 7 Mile Road Race that was first held on 22nd April 1946. A fleet of buses takes competitors from the race headquarters at Tiverton Town Football Club, Bolham Road, Tiverton, to the start outside the White Horse Hotel in the centre of Bampton. The race follows the undulating main A396 road down the Exe Valley to Bolham, where the runners climb the steepest hill of the course and run past the front lodge of Knightshayes Court and across a bridge over the North Devon Link Road. The race finishes in Peoples' Park, Tiverton overlooking the race headquarters.

The winner was Mark Jenkin of Bideford A A C in 36:55. The first Exmouth Harrier to finish, Cathy Newman, produced another outstanding performance to come 1st lady overall, 1st LV45 and 14th overall in 43:07. Andy Johnson was 26th in 46:55, with Bob Woodall 2nd V55 and 31st overall in 48:45. John Perratt was 1st V65 and 37th overall in 49:18 and Ray Elston was 1st V60 and 44th overall in 50:44. Congratulations to Cathy, John and Ray!!

Jim Wyatt came 82nd in 55:55, Katie Comer was 85th in 56:24, Heather Irvine was 104th in 59:18 and Nicky Crook came 124th in 61:28. 193 runners completed the race.

The Teignbridge Ten (miles) Race was won by Kairn Stone of Newham & Essex Beagles in 54:11. The field of 243 runners included Cathy Newman, superb again for 1st lady overall, 1st LV45 and 10th overall in 60:07 and Katie Comer was 141st in 82:14.

Ten o'clock in the morning on Sunday 30 March 2008 saw the start of the now annual mainly off road race from the river Exe to the river Axe. Some twenty gruelling linear miles along the coast path with a total altitude of almost two miles. The competitors run as a four person team or as an individual. With the previous days stormy weather and the loss of an hour’s sleep, due to the arrival of British Summer time, the competitors took to the start line with an air of trepidation.

The four legs followed the route of the coast path starting at the Foxholes car park, Exmouth. At this time the skies were overcast and the temperatures in the mid single figures Celsius. The first leg terminated at the Lime Kiln Car Park at Budleigh Salterton from where the runners continued to Sidmouth to the Life Boat Station. From here the next leg terminated at Branscombe via Ladram Bay. The final leg went from Branscombe to the finish of the race at the West end of the promenade at Seaton.

Exmouth Harriers were represented by Nigel Dupain at first leg, who handed over to Richard Selby. Richard battled well and overtook about seven leading runners to hand over to Duncan Linklater. Duncan battled hard, over probably the hardest leg, overtaking several more leading runners to hand over for the final leg to Bob Woodall, who managed to claw back one more place. At the completion the Exmouth Harriers team, all of whom hardly remember their fiftieth birthday, finished about seven places behind the overall winners. By this time the sun was at its peak bathing the promenade and beach in warm sunshine. The temperature exceeded ten degrees Celsius.

A special mention must be made about Nigel who, as well as running the first leg for the Exmouth Harriers team, was to run the final leg in the Dupain family team. Nigel started alongside his daughter Hanna who would have handed over to Emma. Unfortunately, however, Emma suffered an illness so Nigel stepped into the breach and completed the final two sections of the race.

Competitors were not just locals, one entrant travelled all the way from Brighton to partake. The weather was kind and all competitors had a thoroughly enjoyable run.

Our thanks to the organisers and their team of helpers.

(LT)