Exmouth Harriers featured strongly in two local recent running events - one in Exmouth and the second in Seaton, writes Des White.

Amongst the 2,000 finishers, there were thirty three Exmouth Harriers who tackled one of the Westcountry’s most iconic multi-terrain running events; the 20-Mile Grizzly and the 9-Mile Cub (5 Harriers tackled the Cub and 28 the Grizzly).

The Grizzly had more than 3,000 feet of ascent in its 20 miles. There were two sections of beach (pebbles), two energy-sapping bogs where runners were often up to their waists in water and mud. Finally, there was the infamous “Stairway to Heaven”, a steep path up the side of a cliff. The Cub was a gentler version of the Grizzly with some of the most extreme parts avoided.

On the day the weather was perfect for the event, but due to the recent heavy rainfall the conditions underfoot were probably the worst in 36 years that the event has been held.

Harriers’ Sam Kelly was the defending Champion, having won the 2023 event in 2.14.26, and had the honour of wearing race number 1 on his vest. Sam was fairly relaxed at the start and let a pack of runners take the lead over the initial undulating miles. 

Using his previous knowledge, Sam moved through the field until he took second place on Branscombe Beach and then the lead position within a mile or so of the finish. Sam’s winning time of 2.20.36 (30 seconds ahead of 2nd placed Jacob Landers of Teignbridge Trotters) reflected the difficulty of the conditions.

Sam was joined in the Grizzly by his sister Alice, who was third Woman to finish in 2.51.19 and his mum Nicola. who was 9th W60 in 4.49.14, plus sister Emily and sister-in-law Hayley, finishing the Cub together in 2.15.29.

Exmouth Harriers would like to thank the organisers Axe Valley Runners for putting on such a marvellous event.

The Cub - 9 Miles

16th Julian Nelmes 1.21.01, 231st Alison White 2.01.34, 324th Katie Moore 2.11.12, 354th Emily Kelly 2.15.29, 355th Hayley Kelly 2.15.29

The Grizzly - 20 Miles

1st Sam Kelly 2.20.36, 17th Rob Ellis 2.41.21, 33rd Alice Kelly 2.51.19 (3rd Woman), 36th Anthony Hatchard 2.54.22, 93rd Matt Harrison 3.11.20, 149th Dana Kalin 3.24.49, 177th Craig Butler 3.29.33, 205th Steve Toomey 3.33.58, 206th Hannah Bown 3.33.34, 237th Mark Hawkins 3.38.40, 295th Louise Hempstead 3.47.30, 341st Tim Thompson 3.53.14 390th, Ben Shaw 3.58.26, 431st Adrian Barton 4.04.20, 496th Scott Jordan 4.14.06, 550th Jon Mill 4.20.38, 560th Carrie Webb 4.20.30, 637th Susan Hill 4.31.31 685th, Terry Mckie 4.38.41, 743rd Anthony Lees 4.45.12, 774th Nicola Kelly 4.49.14, 819th Harriet Lyons 4.53.39, 826th Kay Douglas 4.54.36, 840th Lisa Hatchard 4.53.59, 989th Jim Comer 5.15.08, 990th Nick Ramm 5.13.30, 1,109th Amanda McCann 5.33.32, 1,118th Laura Walton 5.35.14.

Thirteen Exmouth Harriers took part in the final race in City Runs RunExe Exmouth 5 Mile and 5km Winter series.

Oli White was the first of the 44 finishers recording 26.18, just a few seconds short of his pb. Oli said afterwards: “No idea where I got the strength for that from - especially after racing in the Bideford 1/2 Marathon on Sunday.” 

The race produced some very quick times with Exmouth Harriers dynamic Masters duo Cathy Newman and Jenny Reay recording new W60 & W65 course records; 31.51 by Cathy, 36.06 by Jenny. 

Not only was it a race but it was also a “Mob Match” with the four top age-graded scores from each team to score. Exmouth Harriers were first with Cathy Newman 100%, Jenny Reay 96%, Oli White 85% and Mac McNaghten 82%, giving an overall score of 362%.

The individual RunExe Exmouth 5 Mile and 5km Winter Series was also decided on age gradings with the best two performances to count. Exmouth Harriers had four runners in the top 10 with Jenny Reay 1st with 195%, Oli White in 6th with 162%, Alison White in 9th with 159% & Steve Morgan in 10th with 153%.

Exmouth Journal: Harriers before the start of the Exmouth 5 Miles