On Saturday, April 29, Exmouth Harrier Dana Kalin took on the challenge of the Sid Valley Ring 1/2 Marathon.

The event was hosted for the third year by Climb South West; the 13.1 mile course followed the Sid Valley Ring Walking Route starting and finishing on Sidmouth’s Esplanade.

It was a challenging undulating course that visited Sidbury and Salcombe Regis with stunning views across Lyme Bay, stretching as far as Portland and Berry Head before a welcome downhill finish back to the seafront at Sidmouth. Dana excelled in the race coming 13th overall and she was the 1st lady finisher in 1.54.00.

Chris Murrin raced 26.2 miles in the North Dorset Village Marathon on Sunday, April 30 in finishing in 3.57.59; it was his 113th marathon. Chris described it as “a picturesque but quite hilly run along country lanes through 10 of the villages of North Dorset.”

Chris has two marathons (his 114th & 115th) planned on consecutive days over the weekend of 13th & 14th May on the Exmouth / Budleigh Trail, starting and finishing at Capel Lane.

Also on Sunday, Terry Mckie competed in the Plym Trail Spring Marathon that started and finished in the village of Clearbrook. The 26.2 mile route used Cycle Route 27, which formerly was a railway line; with two out and backs laps to Coypool.

The route was in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with scenic views and glimpses of wildlife including the possibility of the occasional Peregrine Falcon. Terry was really pleased to finish in 4.27.00; he said afterwards “It was a very enjoyable first half followed by a trying last few miles.”

Now that the sun is finally peeking out from behind the winter clouds, it is a great time to get into running and the Exmouth parkrun is a perfect place to start.

Held every Saturday at 9am on the Exmouth Esplanade, this free 5km community event is terrific fun and a completely relaxed environment for running. Just search for Exmouth parkrun online to register your interest and get involved in the global running sensation.