The Grizzly

On 13th March the unique race known as ”The Grizzly” took place around Seaton. In fact some would say it has transcended being a mere running race and should be thought of as a challenge to the mind as much as to the body. Anyway it’s hilly, usually wet and is a very long way.

Dave Stone then would be the Grizzly equivalent of a Zen Master as he strode round in 2:46:40 for 6th overall and 2nd over 40 male veteran. Mike Musgrove covered the course in 2:51:35, good enough for 19th overall and 5th man over 40. The performances of Adam Miller (25th in 2:53;59), Jon Croome (70th in 3:07:29 & 16th man over 45) and Peter McKeown (90th in 3:11:17 & 19th man over 40) meant 5 Harriers were placed in the top 100 of nearly 1700 finishers.

Another 11 from the club would have been pleased to have finished the race, spending the sort of time on their feet that you might put aside for watching ”Gone with the Wind”, and while frankly they would not, for the most part, give a damn about their positions and times they should be recorded for posterity: Terry Oldham (267th in 3:33:57 and 29th man over 50); Hannah Bown (301st in 3:38:01 & 29th woman); Emma Dupain (308th in 3:38:21 & 32nd woman); Lorraine Croome (387th in 3:45:45 & 8th woman over 40); Ben White (396th in 3:46:25), Katie Comer (536th in 3:55:13 & 67th woman) ); Lucy Hodgson 537th in 3:55:15 & 68th woman); Scott Jordan (573rd in 3:58:53); Lyn Curtis 616th in 4:01:52 & 18th woman over 40); Lorraine Gilson (724th in 4:10:03 & 10th woman over 50) and Nicola Crook (1127th in 4:41:31 & 217th woman). Some would say that those taking 4 hours or more faced a bigger challenge than runners at the front of the event – they certainly would not have had an intermission and an ice cream.

(DE)