A break from the rain and spring was definitely in the air and in the step of South Devon AC runners as members new and old made the most of local races and parkruns. First Chance 10k in Exeter is always a good gauge to fitness at the start of the year and fifteen SDAC members were up to the challenge in sunny and icy conditions, great to see Dave Naish back to enjoying racing after injury. Matthew Dalton won the Plym trail half on Saturday in a great time and Ben Reed and St

A two week round up of South Devon AC running over the festive season! Thursday before Christmas was the SDAC annual Jingle Jog to see the festive lights of Paignton and wave at the Train of Lights. A good turn out with some excellent festive costumes and a fun time was had by all (apart from those that had to listen to our singing!) Plenty of parkrun results over the two weeks as there are extra ones put on, the latest one only is listed which saw PB’s for Jon Hiscoke, Jim C

The final race in South Devon AC Grand Prix was the Haldon Jingle Bell 10K – a two lap course through Haldon forest with just a few hills! Although cold and windy the rain held off and there was some great running and results from SDAC runners. Michelle Cowley took third female, Colin Peters won his age group with nearly everyone else placing 2nd or 3rd in their age category. A fun mornings running (unless you had a hangover!) well done everyone and thanks to Colin for bringi

It was a very successful weekend at Bournemouth Marathon Festival for South Devon AC runners both seniors and juniors with nearly everyone recording PB’s. For the marathon it was a lovely sunny day and despite the headwind along some of the seafront sections Alex Magee was first back for the club in a brilliant 3:13:04. Stuart Batten and Michelle Coles both recorded PB’s with Michelle taking a massive thirty-one minutes of her previous marathon time. Jon Hiscoke was running h

On Tuesday South Devon AC held the next instalment of the Clubs 3K series which counts as the Club Championship. A gentle breeze and light drizzle seemed to be good conditions for running as five PB’s were recorded out of the 27 runners, thanks to Alan and his team for another smoothly run race. PB’s were for Jon Hiscoke, Alex Magee, Max Taylor Stuart Batten and Claire Cornish – full results on club website. At the weekend it was time for the ladies to shine at the Newton Ab

Sunday was the next race in South Devon AC’s Grand Prix series at the Killerton 10K. Torrential rain just before the race didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm and fortunately the rain stopped and held off long enough for everyone to get around the course. The course is a series of loops and switchbacks through the grounds and woods at Killerton house with plenty of hills and some slippery descents. The race is run in a series of waves so despite Alex Magee leading our wave from

South Devon AC runners were making the most of our glorious local scenery running the Torbay Athletic Five Bays Challenge on Sunday. It’s a multi-terrain race over beaches, shingle, public footpaths and a long section of rocky and tree root strewn Coastal Path. Great views but at a cost of steep climbs and descents and a total of 423 steps to either run up or down. The largest collection of these is out of Fishcombe Cove which has 118 uneven steps. The course has a total clim

Two SDAC senior runners were in action this weekend - Dave Cubberley completed the Bridport Jurassic Coast 10k and Steve Hookins ran the Salisbury 54321 50km. Dave described the Jurassic 10k as very tough and hilly but with great scenery and great marshals, he finished 65th in 1:48:27. The 54321 50k is a multi-terrain race in the Salisbury Wessex area through lanes, trails and country estates, Steve finished 117th in 5:40:55. Only a few runners braved the weather at our local

South Devon AC runners had a great morning out at Totnes 10K on Sunday – a well organised and enjoyable race hosted by Teignbridge Trotters. As well as the mens and ladies teams winning prizes there was some great individual results and prizes won. Dave Hampton was 5th overall and first Senior Male, Michelle Cowley was 4th lady and 1st Senior Female and Laura Ashworth won 2nd in her age group. In the junior fun run Lauren Carr ran a strong finish and was first female and 7th

Lots of South Devon AC runners in action this week with three taking on the hilly Kingsbridge Carnival 10k in the week. Saturday saw the usual suspects at parkrun and Sunday was the Stoke Gabriel Carnival 10k and Prusty Plod. Neil and Sue Hayes ran at Stoke as part of their wedding anniversary celebrations so congratulations to them! After training hard for Sundays Outlaw Ironman at Nottingham Vince Langdon was a bit disappointed when it turned into an Ironman Aquathlon with

Only a few race results this week and a good attendance at parkrun. After running Torbay parkrun on Saturday Lauren Carr went on to win the Junior parkrun on Sunday with a new PB. The majority of people saved their energy for the highlight of the week – the SDAC birthday cruise! Thanks to Captain Colin for organising another great evening and Jon and Jenny Hiscoke for supplying a fantastic birthday cake! Thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Keith Belt, Joh

Another great weekend of running for South Devon AC with parkruns to ultras conquered! Heather Maddock and Steph Bartlett ran the Race to the Stones 100km which follows The Ridgeway and is lined with Bronze Age hill forts, Neolithic burial chambers and Roman river crossings. Stepping in the same footsteps as travellers who lived over 5,000 years ago Heather had a great race taking 3rd V60 female with an amazing performance. Saturday was the next race in the club Grand Prix at

It was a busy weekend of running for South Devon AC athletes starting with the Run Exe relays on Friday evening. South Devon fielded six teams for the relays with the best results for the senior ladies and male vet 50 teams who both placed 5th in their category. Saturday was parkrun day with new PBs for Dani Waters, Lauren Carr and Alison Ford. Sunday was the next race in the Grand Prix series which was the Clyst Hydon Huff 10k. It’s a lovely scenic and hilly route with a gre

Saturday was the next instalment in South Devon AC’s Grand Prix at Ivybridge 10K, it’s a well organised fast course and nineteen South Devon runners enjoyed the lovely sunny evening. Despite running Torbay parkrun earlier Alex Magee was first back for the club in a great time of 38:35. Great performances all round with 10K PB’s for Rachel Collins and Dani Waters and Keith Belt winning his age group. Other races of note - Stuart Batten continued his good run of form with anoth

Good Friday was also Fast Friday for Rachel Sharples, Alison Ford and Brenda from South Devon who competed in the City Runs Fast Friday 10Km race in Exeter. The warm sunny weather bought runners out in their droves at Torbay parkrun with a new record number of finishers, South Devon AC runners were among the 417 finishers enjoying the fabulous weather. Fast Friday 10km: 244 Rachel Sharples 01:07:39, 247 Alison Ford 01:09:19, 252 Brenda Grant 01:12:56 Torbay parkrun : 6 Alex M

Spring racing season started in style with South Devon AC runners competing in several races with some great performances and PB’s. The Tavy13 is a half marathon run by Tavistock Athletic and was the third race in the SDAC annual grand prix. The race starts and finishes at Tavistock College athletic track with a lovely scenic route out to Dartmoor and back. There was a good number of SDAC runners attending – Colin Peters was first back for the club but the ladies took the hon

A busy weekend of running for South Devon AC runners kicked off with a good attendance at Torbay parkrun and two members running the Plym Trail half marathon with perfect weather to enjoy the scenic route from Clearbrook to Coypool and back. Results parkrun: 3 Alex Magee 19:09, 8 Marc Walpot 19:53, 36 Piers Calascione 22:46 (New Pb), 39 Kate Maslin 23:14, 51 Michelle Cowley 24:10, 52 Hugh Slater 24:15, 69 James Waddell 25:18, 191 Gary Burman 32:42, 269 Michelle Coles 57:03 Re

New Years Day wasn’t quiet at all with a lot of SDAC runners starting the year with good intentions (or just running off the Christmas excess!) A good proportion of the club took part in the traditional Berry Head to Paignton run with several people running to Berry Head as well. Other club members opted for the parkrun and despite it being New Years Day three new PB’s were recorded! Torbay Velopark parkrun Results NYD: 11 Gary Burman 18:4 7 (New Pb), 102 Hugh Slater 24:26, 1

Dart Vale marathon takes in the leafy lanes around Newton Abbot and the Teign Valley a challenging 26.2 miles. First home for SDAC Jeremy Goddard in 14th with a time of 3:27:06, 36 Nicky Washbrook 3:53:38, 39 Louise Lewry 3:55:20, 50 Chris Shuttleworth 4:08:23 Dart Vale 10K; 39 Kerry Bell 48:36, 148 Rachel Sharples 1:07:00, 152 Brenda Grant 1:10:59. #Marathon #10k #Road

Exmouth 10K is an out and back run along Exmouth seafront making for a quick 10K course. This was the 9th Grand Prix Race in the series for SDAC. Darren Francis was on good form coming 7th in 37:39, 15 Gary Burman 39:53, 19 Vince Langdon 40:05, 34 Rodney Keen 42:35, 57 Jonathan Hiscoke 44:21, 73 Keith Belt 45:24, 74 Guy Akeroyd 45:25, 97 Kerry Bell 47:46, 155 Sue Hayes 51:16, 198 Roger Webb 54:19, 250 Anita Carpenter 57:04, 294 John Drennan 01:00:07, 303 David Cubberly 01:00