David Snook ran in his first race for Exmouth Harriers on Saturday at the Otter Rail & River 10km in Tipton St John. The event was superbly organised by the Tipton St John Playing Field Association.
The course was extremely muddy underfoot and there were a few challenging hills but it’s definitely worth a revisit next year as it was a marvellous event that included free snacks and a free beer (Otter Ale) to all finishers.
David was joined by three other Harriers; Oli, Alison & Des White and out of the 216 finishers Oli was 3rd overall in 38.48, Des finished 24th in 46.28 and was 1st M60, David finished 27th in 46.55, Alison was 80th in 60.08 and was 1st W65.
Another two Harriers raced over the weekend with Kelly Thomas and Craig Butler running in Windy Paths Exe Estuary races on Saturday.
Kelly tackled the 42km marathon and Craig ran in the 50km event. Both races started and finished on the seafront at Budleigh Salterton and took in some very muddy sections of the coastal path to Exmouth, via the seafront and then onto the Exe Estuary Trail to Topsham returning, via the same route to Budleigh.
Kelly finished in 16th place overall in the marathon (her 3rd race over the 42km distance so far in 2021) and she was 4th woman to finish in 4.31.50.
Craig ran the furthest he has ever run and finished in 42nd place in the 50km in an amazing 6.18.37.
The next events on the calendar for Exmouth Harriers are the Exeter 10km races organised by City Runs from Exeter Quay to Countess Weir on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th July plus the Haytor Heller on Saturday 17th July, which is approximately six miles off-road over a very challenging course taking in Haytor Rock and Hound Tor.