The Grizzly
THE Grizzly, one of the most popular yet toughest races in the UK, attracted a veritable feast of 10 Stubbies, who slogged in out over 19.7-miles of severe hills, calf-jangling shingle beachs mud swamps and streams.
Dubbed Armaghedon NowHere, the race was based in Seaton, Devon, and attracted a field of 996 runners to take on the fearsome Grizzly which had been postponed from last March because of the Napoli shipwreck that had prompted the closure of Branscombe Beach.
Half of the Napoli lay listing just off the beach for Sunday's race, but the beach was open as was the rest of the arduous course which was lined with spectators, assorted musicians and some of the friendliest marshals you are likely to meet.
The race began on the seafront at Seaton with a tortuous run on the shingle of the beach, before setting out along the seafront and up the first of numerous hills. Although bright sunshine greeted the start, the Devon skies clouded over during the morning to leave conditions humid. The rough terrain was steep and muddy, and at the hills most of the runners were reduced to the smallest of jogs of a walk.
Dave King was the first of the Stubbies home in 428th place with a time of 3hrs 44min 55sec. Not far behind was Neil Jarvis, who along with wife Tracie, is training for the Dublin Marathon in October, and he placed 622nd with 4:08.28. Mark Dyer just managed to duck under the five-hour mark with 4:58.25 for 921st.
The ladies set off together, but then split into three groups, with Kay Sader and Tracie Jarvis the first pair home in 979th and 980th places respectively in 5:33.27.
Just five minutes behind were Kathy McKain (5:38.45) and Caroline Street (5:38.46) in 985th and 986th places respectively, followed by Sue Robinson (5:46.53) in 990th and Sarah Boddy (5:46.54) for 991st.
The race was won by German runner, Frank Zimmer, from Skills 04 Frankfurt in 2:27.31 and the first lady was Donna McEwen from Bedford Harriers in 35th with a time of 2:52.57
Staged alongside The Grizzly was the Cub Run, staged over an eight-mile course and Stubby Liz Hall placed 109th in 2:11.24 from a field of 139 runners.
Dan Mapp from Bideford AAC won the race in a time of 1:10.29 and the unattached runner, Martina Rucka, led the ladies home in 1:30.15 for 10th overall.