Endurance Coastal Series – South Devon Feb 2016 – race report by Caroline Smith
What do you do on a birthday to prove you’re still young – do a tough off road half marathon of course! Despite the weather warnings and concerns of winds in excess of 60 miles an hour Jane Willmott and I decided to go ahead and see how we got on. For those who have never run with Endurance they are a very professional organised company who run many runs from 10k to ultra marathons all on the same day, at some stunning locations. They stagger the start times so there is a constant flow of activity for spectators. http://www.endurancelife.com/
Having done the Dorset 10k run at Lulworth (extreme) this was rated as severe so we were quietly confident. The route took us from Beesands (about halfway between Dartmouth and Salcombe) onto the coastal path westwards for about 7 miles before turning inland and returning through farmland, up and down 3 valleys back to the start point. The route took us past start point lighthouse and the offer from the marshal to take an easier route should have been a clue of what was to come… there was no possibility of even standing upright let alone run! Linked arm in arm and often on hands and knees we continued, just as the skies opened fully to make the run more memorable. My new plan of taking regular photos en-route was not possible so this was the only photo taken. I should have taken a picture of my ripped trousers as I was literally blown into a barbed wire fence…
The second half of the run would have been easier but due to all the rain the farmlands had been turned into swampland, so yet again running was not possible. Even the downhill runs were scary as the one slip would have resulted in a 100 meter sheer drop.
So, despite the training and hard work this 13.8 “run” took an impressive 3:53 hours – and we were not last! There were many runners who did not finish and many downgraded their distance due to the conditions. The fastest finisher for the half was 1:45:51, the slowest was 4:42:43. We finished wet through, blown within an inch but very proud (that we only had 1 fall each).
In summary – would I recommend Endurancelife for a fast run – no way, would I recommend for those who want to push themselves to do something a little difference and have an excuse for a weekend away somewhere different – absolutely.
