The 100 starters were blessed with ideal running conditions for this year s Four Trigs race, a still and mild day with the conditions underfoot surprisingly firm.

The 100 starters were blessed with ideal running conditions for this year's Four Trigs race, a still and mild day with the conditions underfoot surprisingly firm. This year the race was run in an anti-clockwise direction, starting from the sailing club, and the runners had three strenuous hills before they got to the first trig on the Branscombe side of Weston.This race is the subject of much debate as to the fastest/easiest direction (it alternates each year) and the route choice is also the subject of much discussion. Having got to Weston there is still about 13 miles of running, and some found that having pushed a little too hard at the start they quickly became very tired. However, five runners who made their way to the front of the field early on did not look like they were going to tire easily. Ed Charlton-Weedy (1st SWRR) and Dan Netterfield (2nd Nailsea RC) pulled away on the long climb from Sidbury up to Whitecross on probably the muddiest section of the course. Ed was running this race for the first time and stuck close to the experienced Dan right until the last trig on High Peak before pushing for home when the route is quite straight forward. The bunch of three just behind consisted of 'old-timers' to this event.They were having a right old battle up to Fire Beacon when surprisingly Graham Hill (5th Sidmouth RC) made an error in route choice and was never able to get back with James Jackson (3rd Otter Valley HHH) and Jon Croome (4th Exmouth Harriers). Jackson and Croome went into Harpford Woods together, but somewhere in the woods Jackson turned right and Croome turned left, Jackson coming out ahead and keeping his advantage right to the end.Justin Ashby (6th) ran a great race and was never far behind the front five with yet another personal best on this course - this time by over 10 minutes. He looked strong at the finish - an indication that his London Marathon training is going well. Jess Watkins (32nd) in her first Four Trigs (her mum Sarah also ran the race for the first time) was coached around the course by her minder Mark Keast (36th). Watkins was feeling strong all the way around, unlike Keast who started to tire on the ascent to High Peak, at which point Jess left him and ran for home, being the first Sidmouth lady back.Sidmouth Running Club had 24 runners taking part in this race and all can be pleased with their performance. George Chalstrey (47th=) looked like he had been for a jog along the sea front when he finished, having supported and encouraged the much younger Ian Robson and Rob Dunford around the course - both looking completely wasted when they finished together.Nicolle Madely (54th) did well and was the second Sidmouth lady runner to finish. She probably didn't realise her true potential in this first attempt at the event as she was one of those who ran the first three hills over-ambitiously. Debbie Marriott (56th), a seasoned campaigner of this event, complained of feeling tired right from the start. Becky Robson (71st) ran with first timer Sarah Watkins (72nd) and had a fantastic time. Running across Muttersmoor they realised that they had the experienced Chris Robinson (73rd) in their sights and a little bit of competitiveness surfaced - both were very pleased with themselves at beating him home.It was good to see other local non running club members taking part in this event, Mark Waters (61st) and Peter Bagwell (58th) both getting their running kit out for an airing using this as a training run for the Grizzly. At the finish they were both regretting their minimalist approach to training, unlike Carol Goddard (82nd) who ran and finished with Sue Tubbs. Both looked as fresh as daisies having clearly enjoyed the race off the back of a good platform of training over the winter months.Brian Gosling (87th) apparently started with the intention of running two trigs but enjoyed it so much that he decided to carry on and do all 4. Cathy Keast, Helen Palmer and Tess Stone started the race pretty non-committally and in the end ran three of the trigs. Likewise Kate Stamp and Libby Jarrett ran the first three, but for some reason took a lift back to the sailing club from the bottom of Fire Beacon - the other three running back.As usual it was a great event and the icing on the cake was the weather which made for a great post-race atmosphere at the sailing club. Competitors were able to enjoy a hot shower prior to refuelling with a giant Hayman's pasty, and cakes provided by Upper Crust Bakery. The new balcony and benches at the club added to the atmosphere. Competitors were able to sit and relax with their food and drinks and cheer the fellow runners as they crossed the finish line on the seafront.Other Sidmouth finishers not mentioned in the report are: John Keast (17th), David Palmer (22nd), Simon Morley (23rd), Don Cawthera (42nd), Andy Shearer (57th), Ian Voce (80th), David Welsh (81st) and John Chesters (85th)Organisers of the event, Helen and Nicky Keast, are grateful for the food provided by sponsors Stuart Hayman and Neil Tubbs, and for the use of the facilities at Port Royal. They are pleased to report that they will be donating approximately �560 to local charities. Sidmouth Running Club also boasts one of the speediest webmasters - Chris Woodcock, webmaster and photographer, who had put some great photos on the website before the race had finished!