Despite rain and fog: 3rd Bridport Jurassic Coast Run sees new record in runners of all ages

The 3rd Bridport Jurassic Coast Run which took place yesterday, was a grand day for everyone participating, despite constant rain and Thornecombe Beacon being inaccessible due to heavy fog. It was also a huge success for the joint organisers Bridport Runners, Brit Valley Rotary Club and the Bridport Leisure Centre: 150 runners participated in the three races over the distances of 10k, 5k and 1 mile – up from 130 runners the year before. Here are the results for the 10k, the 5k and the 1 mile race; official race photos of the 10k and 5k can be bought on the website of Charles Whitton photography.

The event was not only a competitive race but a family and community occasion, as well, with the youngest runner being 5 years, the oldest 75 years old, a stag-party on the run, children enjoying the Treasure Hunt and families checking out Bridport Leisure Centre and its pool on the day.

A stag-party on the run

Race day started a bit with a shock, as the organisers had to shorten the 10k route up to Thornecombe Beacon on recommendation of the Coast Guard due to safety reasons. However, some runners were quite relieved not to take on the full gruesome climb to the Beacon, the second highest hill on the south coast. A full 100 participants registered for this race. Many came from running clubs nearby and far away – among them a complete stag-party from the Lordshill Road Runners of Southampton. Their fastest runner, Andrew Griggs (not the bridegroom, though), won the 10k in 40 minutes and 44 seconds.

The longest journeys were probably done by Gregory Skelton from Askern District Running Club in Yorkshire who happens to be an Ex-Bridport Runner and Lydia O’Donoghue from the Ealing Eagles Running Club in London. She was also the fastest woman on the 10k course in 48:54 min. Fastest veterans (over 50 years of age) were Nigel Gates (42:48) and Alison Turner (1 hour 8 minutes and 10 seconds). The oldest runner, however, was the one with the most running experience of them all: 75 year old Patricia Seabrook has run 28,000 miles in her life so far and 460 marathons all over the world, including two in Australia!

Olivia returns on the 5k

The best time on the 5k course which also included the Jurassic Coast at West Bay was run by Thomas Crabtree in 23:35 – only 11 seconds over the record time on this course from last year’s race. The fastest female runner in the 5k course was Olivia Willmore in 31:35 who had already won the 1 mile race the year before.

Many young, but already fast runners had started before in the 1 mile for the under 12’s on the fields near the Leisure Centre. Fastest boy was Owen Pitcher (followed by Jamie Guy and Ryan Pitcher), fastest girl was Lucy Guy (then came Maisie Pitcher and Issy Quinlan). The 1 mile race also saw three five year old boys and a girl as the youngest starters.

“It seems as if our Jurassic Coast Runs can only go from strength to strength”, said a very pleased Bridport Runners’ Chair Brian Shelley after the race in which he himself started for the first time. He thanked all the helpers involved in the event for their support, long before and on race day, and Bridport Timber as sponsor of the 10k and 5k run. “If you look around Bridport and West Bay on any evening there are so many people running”, Brian remarked. “I hope that the increase in participation, both in the Bridport Jurassic Coast Run and in membership of Bridport Runners including our three Beginners Groups so far, has contributed to that.”