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)