Honiton Running Club held its own Hippo races on Sunday, 21st September. The weather was perfect for a race in the countryside. After a dry summer and just a few weeks of changeable weather, the going was pretty hard with not as much mud as usual. However, runners did get very wet as they had two rivers to cross with one chest deep on some runners.
The main race, the Honiton Hippo, is a 7 mile race with several significant elevations and the race goes through the Landrover Experience with more than one water feature in addition to the two rivers elsewhere on the course!
The race was won by Hamish Fletcher-Cooney in 51 minutes and 1 second. The lady winner was Helen Anthony who came 20th overall in 1 hour 2 minutes. Many HRC members were marshalling or otherwise organising but some took the opportunity to race. Nick Couch was first back for HRC coming 23rd in 1:04 and he was followed by Jo Buxton who came 4th lady and 33rd overall in 1:09.
Other HRC runners were: 46th Declan Kelly 1:12, 58th Emma and Katie Davey 1:16, 70th Graeme Ford 1:19, 89th Neale Frood 1:26, 106th Darren Boswell Gallagher 1:33, 107th Claire Staniforth 1:33, 115th Gemma Williams 1:35, 119th Gary Wallis 1:40, 126th Jo Ford and Tina Duckitt 2:01. There were 140 finishers.
The Hungry Hippo is a 5k race, aimed at anyone 12 years and over who isn’t brave enough to take on the full Hippo challenge. It’s also aimed at those youngsters who aren’t old enough for the ‘big’ one! The race was won by HRC’s Sam Twaddle in 22:49 and the first female back was Imi Clarke who came 10th overall in 29:46. Other HRC runners were; 3rd Rafi Maclure 24:22, 4th Thomas Wytcherley 25:02 and 9th Christopher Jones 28:33. There were 23 finishers,
The Hippo Calf is aimed at juniors over the age of 9. It is 3k and still goes through the muddy Combe Woods. HRC’s Felix Sullivan won the race in 13:39 and the lady winner was HRC’s Sophie Smith who came 4th overall in 15:19. Arthur Bornet came 2nd for Honiton finishing in 14:37 and other HRC runners were: 8th Alfred Brooker 16:28, 13th Fred Alcock 20:27, 14th William Brooker 20:46, 18th Charlotte Frood 21:42 and 19th Gabriella Pepper 21:43. There were 22 finishers.
Many thanks to all the landowners, marshals and other helpers for another great event and especially well done to Race Director, Tim.