Leading the challenge was Bristol and West runner, Andy Chambers, who covered the tough, hilly course in a time of 61:21. As an indicator of the difference the underfoot conditions made the winning time was over 3 minutes faster than in 2012; although, it should also be highlighted, that Andy is a talented runner and with a strong field this year, he had to work hard for that time nevertheless. The Men’s team prize was won by Exeter harriers, with Axe Valley a close second. Ami Yetton of Plymouth Harriers was a worthy winner of the women's race. Making a rare appearance on this sort of terrain - she is predominantly a road and cross-country specialist - she made light work of the course to finish in a superb time of 1:11:54; again, this time was up by 5 minutes on the winning female time from last year. 431 runners completed the main race.
Due to the need for marshalls and officials, only a limited number of Exmouth members actually "ran" the event. The Harriers have a policy that in order to run in the race you have to find a substitute marshall to stand in your stead. For those of us lucky enough to be able to do that, we all enjoyed the opportunity to race on our usual training ground, over the beautiful terrain of Woodbury Common. One marshall did point out that ten tough miles of running was probably a much more pleasant way of spending a Sunday morning than being stood still, shivering, directing the runners, on such a cold, frosty morning, but those marshals are vital on a course which winds and climbs and twists and turns around our local mini-wilderness.
Tony Hatchard was the highest placed Harrier runner, following his excellent race at the Drogo the previous week with another solid performance, placing 6th place in 64:46. Running the Drogo and the Blister events in back-to-back weeks is no easy feat, and performing well and finishing in the top 10 finishers at both is certainly no mean feat, so hats off to Tony for showing he and his legs are made of tough stuff!
Due to the need for marshalls and officials, only a limited number of Exmouth members actually "ran" the event. The Harriers have a policy that in order to run in the race you have to find a substitute marshall to stand in your stead. For those of us lucky enough to be able to do that, we all enjoyed the opportunity to race on our usual training ground, over the beautiful terrain of Woodbury Common. One marshall did point out that ten tough miles of running was probably a much more pleasant way of spending a Sunday morning than being stood still, shivering, directing the runners, on such a cold, frosty morning, but those marshals are vital on a course which winds and climbs and twists and turns around our local mini-wilderness.
Tony Hatchard was the highest placed Harrier runner, following his excellent race at the Drogo the previous week with another solid performance, placing 6th place in 64:46. Running the Drogo and the Blister events in back-to-back weeks is no easy feat, and performing well and finishing in the top 10 finishers at both is certainly no mean feat, so hats off to Tony for showing he and his legs are made of tough stuff!
Next in, in 38th place overall and second woman in 73:24, a minute and a half behind the winner, Ami Yetton, came myself, Ellie Sutcliffe. This was the first time I've done this race as I've always marshalled it before, but now I am hooked! I loved every minute of it... well, apart from the slight wobbly moment at about mile 8 when I experienced a sudden blood sugar crash: thanks must go to Haldon Trail runner, Tom Bates, who was running near me and let me have a swig of his electrolyte drink! Without him, who knows, I may have collapsed, or worse, conceded my 2nd place! Now that would have been a catastrophe! ;-)
Richard Bishop is really getting back into the racing groove. He also did the Drogo-Blister double and was once again in the thick of the front running action, placing 52nd over all and pretty high up in his Over 45 category in a time of 75:31.
Lorraine Gilson was unsure at the start of the race whether or not she would be able to go the whole Blister distance. She's been blighted by plantar fasci-wots-its-name issues for the best part of the year and is only recently getting back into competing again. She planned to run as far as the race split, assess how she felt, and decide there whether to carry on with the full race or opt for the "Lite". As it turns out, she must have felt on top form, as she not only completed the full Blister but she did so in a commendable time of 1:38:34 and her efforts earned her 241st place overall and 2nd in the new vet category she has just edged into: women Over 55.
Lisa Broad was the third and final female Harrier competing in the full Blister race, finishing 306th in 1:43:00, and well inside the top 75% of finishers. Lisa's time is all the more impressive when we consider that it was her first ever race off-road and that she stopped en route to help an injured runner and added a little bit onto the 10.25 miles by doubling back to alert a marshall. Lisa says: "Thank-you lovely Harriers for an amazing experience! I'm very happy with my 1:43 finish as it was a very eventful race - (1st time off road, first time merrily splashing my way across a river, 1st time stopping to run back up a hill to call St Johns for a man who went down in front of me!) - I DEFINITELY need help to train, train, train for the Grizzly - no way I could do double the distance where I am currently. Oh well, time to pop the trainers on (when they're clean again) and get back out there (especially with my snazzy new head-torch!) Fab marshalling and support. A great event. x" Glad you enjoyed it Lisa, and we think you'll be fine for the Grizzly!!
In 78th (79:49) and 81st (80:14) places were Chris Dupain and Scott-2-Trigs-Jordan, having another one of those intra-club battles, which went right to the line, with Chris edging out Scott by about 50 metres. If the grins on both their faces were anything to go by as they crossed the line, both looked as though they had enjoyed the race and the rematch of a similar tussle they had last week as they finished closely together at the Drogo.
In 78th (79:49) and 81st (80:14) places were Chris Dupain and Scott-2-Trigs-Jordan, having another one of those intra-club battles, which went right to the line, with Chris edging out Scott by about 50 metres. If the grins on both their faces were anything to go by as they crossed the line, both looked as though they had enjoyed the race and the rematch of a similar tussle they had last week as they finished closely together at the Drogo.
The real hard work on the day though was done by all the Harriers and their families, and also the Exmouth Cadets and St John's Ambulance crew, who gave up their Sunday morning to stand in the cold and ensure that the event went ahead safely. We have heard this week that the Plymouth Hoe 10 mile race, an iconic race in the county and one of less than a handful of opportunities to race at the 10 mile distance, has been cancelled for next year due to problems with road closures and runner safety. This could well mean that the popularity of off-road events continues to boom and, who knows, next year we may see closer to 600 runners completing the Blister races. They certainly seem to be popular with the local off-road running fraternity, but the race can only go ahead with the combined efforts of club members. So a big thanks to everyone involved!
The huge array of trophies and prizes to be won!
Photo (C) Charles Whitton Photography
Lots of superb photos of all the runners out on the course and of the prize winners were taken by Charles Whitton Photography. They can be viewed and purchased via his website, here: http://www.charleswhittonphotography.com/
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