Storm Kathleen battered many parts of the country over the weekend, but it didn’t stop 21 Harriers racing in some extremely challenging events.

On Saturday morning, seven Harriers took part in City Runs latest event through the stunning grounds of the Powderham Estate.

There were two options; the Classic 5 Mile & the Legend 10 Mile.

Both were over a very muddy multi-terrain route that had a bit of everything; it was described as a stunning route taking in paths and tracks within the private estate with breath-taking views over the Exe Estuary.

Josh Sale continued his excellent form with a storming run in the 10 mile race and finished in 2nd place overall with Jimmy Joy not far behind in 13th place, also taking 1st place in the Men’s over 60 category.

In Linda Hoe’s first race for the Harriers, she not only finished the 5 mile race in a fantastic time of 54.51 but was also the first lady finisher in the over 70 category.

5 Miles

  • 16th Steve Morgan 44.13 2nd M65
  • 20th Alice Thomas 45.25 6th SW
  • 70th Linda Hoe 54.51 1st W70

10 Miles

  • 2nd Josh Sale 1.11.57 2nd SM
  • 13th Jimmy Joy 1.20.23 1st M60
  • 42nd Douglas McCombie 1.34.52 13th SM
  • 78th Alison White 1.50.25 4th W60

On Sunday., Bob Keast completed 52 hilly miles with 10,800 feet elevation over the iconic Shropshire Hills summits and Iron-Age hillforts, along ancient drovers’ routes and through magnificent ancient woodland and market towns.

The event started and finished at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre close to Stokesay Castle.

Mr Keast said afterwards "Gale force winds, rain and more than enough mud".

Bob Keast 15 hours 50 minutes,

Also on Sunday, ten Harriers tackled what the organisers described as " A brute of a race with some outstanding views" .

22 miles of mud, hills, lots more mud & even more hills.

Once voted one of the best races in the country, the route followed a stunning but very challenging section of the South West Coast Path starting on Exmouth seafront and finishing in Seaton.

Alice Kelly used the event as part of her preparation for the London Marathon on Sunday April 21 and showed that she is in great shape by finishing in 6th place overall and was first lady finisher in 3 hours 24 minutes and 40 seconds.

She will be joined in the 2024 London Marathon by her two brothers James and Sam, where they will be attempting to run the fastest combined time by three siblings.

  • 6th Alice Kelly 3.24.40 1st Lady
  • 25th Tom Packer 3.53.49
  • 49th Steve Toomey 4.19.06
  • 117th Susan Hill 5.01.17 3rd W60
  • 147th Kay Douglas 5.25.49 5th W60
  • 148th Nicola Kelly 5.26.00 6th W60
  • 150th Anthony Lees 5.27.45
  • 154th Amanda McCann 5.28.42
  • 174th Nick Ramm 6.00.22
  • 176th Jim Comer 6.00.23

Exmouth Journal: Harriers (Tom, Kay, Nicola, Alice, Susan & Nick) ready for the start on Exmouth seafront

Plus on Sunday, three Harriers joined over 11,000 runners in the popular Brighton Marathon that started in Preston Park and then headed north towards Withdean, before taking participants south through the city and past some of Brighton's most iconic landmarks.

This includes the Pavilion, the Brighton & West Piers and the i360.

The finish line was on the seafront at Hove Lawns, taking finishers past the infamous beach huts.

Exmouth Journal: Andy, Hannah & Craig before the start of the Brighton Marathon

Craig Butler said after finishing: "With the sun we also had a collection of challenging hills and the remains of Storm Kathleen blowing straight off the sea; so it felt like you were running into it in both directions".

Mr Butler will also be running in the London Marathon on Sunday, April 21 along with seven other Exmouth Harriers.

  • 630th Craig Butler 3.19.01
  • 784th Hannah Bown 3.23.21 3rd W45
  • 4679th Andy Place 4.14.12