When Claudia Barry chose to run the 100k Thames Path Ultra Challenge in September to fundraise for The National Brain Appeal, she hadn’t anticipated it would be the hottest day of the year!

In fact, 331 runners withdrew from the race, which shows how determined Claudia was to finish and how her support team played an important part in keeping her cool and hydrated during the 19 hours 54 minutes she was running.

Starting from Putney, the ultra, which is just shy of 2.5 continuous marathons, follows the Thames Path to Henley where a jubilant Claudia crossed the finish line at 3.30am, 56th woman out of 251 and 245th out of a field of 609 overall.

The Mighty Green is very grateful to her support crew and support runners, who ran with her from 29k including SRC’s Richard King and his friend Rick Bollenger who followed her the whole way.

For Claudia losing a couple of toenails and dealing with some horrendous blisters was well worth the £5,000+ she has raised for a charity close to her heart. Huge congratulations Claudia!

Sidmouth Running Club’s Liz Wright and Jim Hudson completed the 9 Edge Challenge on the hottest day of the year in the Peak District!

Adrian ‘Gripper’ Horne took the opportunity to wear his Mighty Green shirt whilst travelling through Switzerland to Italy. Gripper decided to do some high, high altitude training up in the Alps!

Closer to home a few club members including two juniors, Jack (wearing the new Junior SRC t-shirt)and Amelia, took part in the Sidbury Fun Run, although according to Emma Grainger it wasn’t much fun as it was very hot and very hilly.

Over 20 children were welcomed back to the Junior club night on Wednesday following the Summer break. Both age groups 8-11 and 11+ took part in circuit training on the sports field at St Johns School where the new agility ladder provided entertainment.

The 8-11 year olds will be enjoying sessions on endurance, jumping, throwing and sprinting with group games, warm ups and cool downs over the next few weeks and the 11+ group will be out running, improving techniques, developing stamina and having fun too. Please contact Junior Coach Kerry through the website www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk for further information.

Sidmouth Herald: Liz on the Peaks