This weekend saw the latest installment of the infamous Grizzly run in East Devon, UK. So what’s it all about and how did it go this time?
I recently did a short post with a few details and some pics from last year’s extravaganza but I’ll delve into it a bit more here and how we went about enjoying this year's show…
In short, The Grizzly is a multi-terrain race across the coastline and countryside, starting and ending in the town of Seaton… a big event in the sporting and social calendar around these parts.
Each year I consider doing it myself but never get around to it. Partly because I’ve simply been out of the country, sometimes niggles and/or not running for a while so not on the cards, but also it’s a pain to actually register… it’s like Glastonbury when the sign up opens and you have a short window to book your place. Of course, people drop out so you can easily get a place I’m sure later on.
It’s a 20 miler, which is a fair ol’ whack anyway, but with the off-road nature of it all (beach pebbles, muddy bogs, hills and more) and various elements may well make it tougher than a marathon. At least with the 26 mile marathon, you’re generally running on a road, this is a bit more varied and a killer in places. There is also a ‘Cub’ race which is a shorter option at 9 miles so that’s not to be sniffed at either of a Sunday morn, but more manageable for many.
The first runners soon after the start, and about to run across the pebbles
Now we're cooking! Stretching across the beach and seafront
A higher vantage point as we - and they - head for the hills
Looking back to Seaton at the top of the hill
Arrived in Beer deciding what to do next, and some runners are already heading back in that direction.
Sat in the beer garden at The Anchor pub. Above is one aspect, and below is one of the hills they will need to head up and where we just walked down. No sign of any sunshine yet… or other people in the beer garden (but there are a fair few by the road)
Inspiration points along the way! There are many of these signs dotted around - they help to mark the course but also offer some great quotes and wisdom. This is the only one I took a pic of though.
Anyway, I wasn’t running but it’s a great opportunity for a walk around the area and be ‘involved’ to a degree. A pleasant stroll, support the runners and partake in a relaxing pint or two at local watering holes.
Our usual routine is to get over to Seaton to watch the start and catch the vibe of people milling around, then head off in the same direction. Perhaps stop in the village of Beer where the run goes through too and then end up at the Fountain Head pub in Branscombe.
The runners come down the hill one side of that pub, run through the beer garden (to whoops and cheers) and back up the hill the other side. Some have been known to stop for a quick refreshment, many give a quick wave and get their head down and plough through.
The chap above is from last year at the pub they run through (Fountain Head, Branscombe) - downed a beer in a minute or so and off he trotted!
We did it a bit differently this year though – we started off in the same place but instead of going all the way to Branscombe, we just walked to Beer and returned to Seaton to see the finish.
It was a shorter, easier walk so it was good for those who didn’t want to aggravate dodgy feet etc, and also better for buses and returning home. So a different view and good to see that angle and mix it up a bit.
After coffee and breakfast in a cafe in Seaton and seeing off the runners on the seafront there, we got on our way to the phenomenally named Beer. Once there, we decided to go to sit outside the pub there for a bit (when in Rome?).
Having already had coffee and being in such a named village (and despite being pre-noon), we went for a nice ale. It was Grizzly day after all, and my logic dictated that we were on airport rules (the land where time is of no consequence).
An 'Old Golden Hen' for me and my dad, and an 'Ice Breaker' for the other beer drinker among us…
A tasty 'Gold' from Salcombe Brewery at The Vault in Seaton. We finished off with a 'Gem' ale in The Malt House.
Just the one there, then headed back to Seaton. We took a slightly different route as we wanted to avoid some of the first runners who were on their way back from the shorter race as the coast path gets a bit thin at one point.
So a slight detour and back on track, back to where it all began on Seaton seafront. After watching some of the runners roll in, we went to a nearby bar where we could still see some action out the window but whilst being suitably oiled.
A couple there, then on to another place before jumping on the ol’ fun bus back home!
The weather was about right for the runners, and ok for the rest of us. Not much in the way of sun, cool and no rain… so about what you'd want if getting in amongst it. At his time of the year, and this part of the world we'll take what we can get ;)
A lovely day out for all, and yes, whilst I supped on a hoppy beverage I thought to myself I really should do that next year. Let’s see!
Images all my own
Running on a beach is hard work and then you have hills too. It does sound tough. I'd need a beer if I ran that.
Indeed, a challenging mixed bag... and sure to build up a thirst!