A week is a long time to last without a competitive run. So it’s always a good idea to surf around for running clubs near your holiday destination to see whether you can gatecrash their Summer Series equivalent.
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We were in Devon for the week and, glorious weather aside, I managed to take in the Exmouth 10k and Dawlish Dash thanks to Teignbridge Trotters website.
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Exmouth 10k
This was an undulating 2 lapper out along the sea front, up into the town and back. Hot, sunny and perfect conditions although there was rather too much traffic on the course for a relaxing run despite the friendly locals.
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4 Rob Downs 34:51 1 MV40
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Dawlish Dash
The entry details had just said that it was a 4 mile race along the coast in aid of Devon wildlife. I had pictured a flat one along the sea front with a crack at the club 4 mile record.
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The Dawlish Coasters had a different sort of dash in mind and the first mile was spent floundering on the beach first through soft sand and pebbles then back along the sea shore steeple chasing over the “groynes”. These were high wooden fences designed to stop sand (and ungainly runners like me) progressing along the beach. As I staggered back onto dry land at the end of the first mile a marshall was calling out 7 minutes and I was well behind the more experienced beach trotters. I managed to catch most of them over the remaining 3 miles where the only obstacles were a couple of flights of steps.
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All in all a recommended race if you’re in the area and above groyne height.
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4 Rob Downs 21:57
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Maybe we can start a newsletter feature on all your holiday runs.