Sidmouth Running Club members were out in force on Sunday for the Bicton Blister (10-miles) and the Blister Lite (4.5-miles), writes Monica Read.

It was a cool but bright day, giving perfect conditions to tackle the undulating miles of trails around Woodbury common.

Nearly 600 runners gathered at the start at Bicton College and wound through the lanes before climbing up across the common.

Lite runners peeled off for their circuit while Blister runners continued to climb for the first five miles up towards to Woodbury Castle before starting a gradual twisting descent along tracks that are pebbly at times and narrow and wooded at others.

Sidmouth fielded around 40 runners, many of whom had completed the off-road training plan that head coach Tim Mitchell had run in the weeks leading up to the event.

The first Sidmouth lady runner home, Kerry Boyle, said: “The coaching course was fantastic. I knocked nearly three minutes off my time from last year and finished third in my age group. I felt a lot fitter and focused, concentrating on staying tall and using my arms up the hills.”

Terry Bewes and Charlotte Forrer also achieved third positions in their age groups, Justin Ashby took second in his age group and Kate Johnston was sixth lady home in the Lite.

Tim’s training also delivered improved times for many others, including Cathy Keast and Debbie Marriott, despite stopping to pick up a fallen runner.

Hamish Spence said: “I found the build-up training extremely helpful. I found myself picking up a very good pace after about half a mile and started passing runner after runner, a real morale booster. The bagpiper near the halfway point was so encouraging too.”

However, there were a number of injuries suffered by Sidmouth runners. Hamish suffered a niggling ankle later in the race, but limped on, as did Adrian Clode, who tripped and fell.

Both were grateful to fellow runners for support and assistance which helped them complete the course.

Adrian said: “I’ve got sore ribs, arm and hip, but all will heal and it was great to experience the family spirit shown amongst the running fraternity.”

The spirit was much in evidence for Sidmouth runners and supporters at Bicton for this popular event organised by Exmouth Harriers, which sold out for the first time this year.

The full record of Sidmouth times – for the Blister: Justin Ashby (1.05.06), Anthony Hall (1.11.08), Julian Bartlett (1.21.26), Kerry Boyle (1.22.44), John Keast (1.25.14), Alan Colwill(1.26.01), Adrian Clode (1.26.27), Charlotte Forrer (1.28.17), Claire Ashby (1.29.38), Sam Ingram (1.31.13), Jon Hanson (1.31.57), Polly Walton (1.34.22), Naomi Garrick (1.35.43), Sue Collman (1.36.41), Steve Saunders (1.37.43), Simon Hollyer (1.38.11), Katy Matravers (1.38.51), Hamish Spence (1.40.01), Christine Farnham (1.40.08), Karen Farnham (1.40.22), Jo Earlam (1.44.20), David Wright (1.44.21), Cathy Keast (1.45.26), Debbie Marriott (1.45.59), Don Cawthera (1.46.00),Sarah Watkins (1.46.36), Bert Dykema (1.47.53), Terry Bewes (1.47.54), Jennifer Bentley (1.55.09), Tania Puddicombe (2.16.08).

For the Lite: Joe Ashby (34.44), Kate Johnston (42.24), David Millen (46.26), Jon Ball (53.30), Bethany Wells (54.18), David Skinner (54.36), Caroline Ball (56.22), Julia Haddrell (58.52), Rebecca Colwill (59.09).