A car submerged in the Axe River just over the bridge on the Colyford side. Photo by Jayne Rowswell

Runners go amphibious

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
12:28 PM

Howard Bidmead of Honiton Running Club would have taken part in the Charmouth Challenge last Saturday had it not been cancelled due to the torrential rain which caused landslides and dangerous conditions on the cliffs, write Judy Davey and Dave Mutter.

Not content to relax, he ran the Quantock Beast organised by the Quantock Harriers, 5.7 miles of tough multi-terrain running. Amazingly, it was beautiful weather, fine views and as much mud as you would ever want. Despite a downhill start and a downhill finish, there are large amounts of climb through the Quantock Hills.

There were 72 entrants, the winner ran 38:24 minutes. Howard was 16th overall in 49:06.

●On Sunday AVR Luke Reed competed in the Plymouth Standard Distance triathlon, 1500m sea swim in the harbour (22.45), a 40km undulating bike ride (1.17.56)and a hilly two-lap 10km run (43.59), giving him an overall time of 2.26.44, and 14th place out of 160 competitors.

When the Charmouth Challenge runs were cancelled, AVRs Jon Day, Chris Driver and Graham Newton were keen to run some of the route, so they made it to Charmouth School where they were joined by a mad Eastleigh RC chap, who had cycled all the way from Weymouth to run the race.

They drove up Stonebarrow hill, were greeted by Steve Reynolds and became “Five go Mad in Dorset”. In the wind, rain and fog they ran a 5.5-mile loop around part of the course.

●Caitlin Bee won the Junior AVR July handicap in a new PB of 16:29. James Knapp was second, 15:12; Ethan Day third, 15:17; Alex McLoughlin fourth, 16:49 and Ben Franklin fifth, 18:33.

Caitlin Bee is leading the junior rankings with 136 points, followed by James Knapp 96 and Max Bowskill 95.

Congrats to Marilyn Hughes for winning the senior handicap in 36:55. Jon Day was second, 22:02; Chris Driver third, 23:57; Eleanor Wood fourth, 24:22 and Andy Sayers fifth, 27:14. Myrtle Croad still heads the seniors with 100 points with James Guler second, 96 and James Sibley third, 93.