The “GRIZZLY” Sunday March 7th Seaton, Devon
The legendary status of this killer race enticed 8 runners and some support to make the trip down to the Devon coast on what was a glorious sunny day/weekend. Six lined up for the 20 mile GRIZZLY and two for the equally tough but shorter 9+ mile CUB RUN.
The races start by running along the shingle beach and then heads for the headland over the steepest tracks this side of the Himalayas. A series of up and downs switch backs and loops makes you soon realize how fast the leaders are going. Runners are walking after only 2 miles and the fun hasn’t started yet. After reaching the top of the world it is back down to Branscombe beach for a dip in the sea. The CUB RUNNERS then have to head back along the shingle and then up “the stairway to heaven” a killer climb back up to the headland before heading home.
Those stupid enough to be doing the full run head inland towards the Donkey Sanctuary where after more leg shaking climbs and descents they enter the BOG OF DOOM. There you meet runners searching for lost shoes or just stuck fast for probably ever. Back to the beach for another slog along the shingle before those evil steps. The view on the top however is the finest imaginable and only 3 more miles to go. Back down and up at Beer leads to the final entrance to Seaton and the finish. A last section of shingle to help remember the race by and you are finished. A walk into the sea Reggie Perrin fashion is then compulsory to wash the mud and other strange smelling stuff off.
Then we hear fantastic news, Maree has finished as 2nd lady in the Grizzly, which in my opinion is perhaps her greatest result to date. Not only that but Steph has WON the Cub Run for the ladies. Northampton Road Runners are being mentioned over the P.A. system as winners. We keep getting mentions as Geoff, Mark, Ronnie, Mick and Alan finish. Jo is beaming as she cheers us in after surviving her Cub debut. What a fabulous day out we’ve had and done NRR proud I feel. However it’s Monday now, I ache all over and it seems like a dream or nightmare I’m not sure which. No doubt we will be back next year . It can’t be any tougher can it?
Cub Run (9+ miles)
11th - Super Steph Russell - 1:20:04 - 1st Lady
115th - Fantastic Jo Smiff - 1:46;19
(last finishers took 2:46 hrs)
Grizzly 20 miles
(Winner finished in 2:29 )
83rd - Marvellous Maree Jesson - 3:01 - 2nd Lady
186 - Geoff Smiff - 3:18
197 - Mark Garrett - 3:19
424 - Ronnie Ambrose - 3:38
812 - Mick Clarke - 4:06
1483 - Alan Hackett - 5:45
Mark Garrett
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