Ruby Red Running brought back the ever popular Dalwood 3 Hills challenge featuring a 10 mile multi-terrain run around the beautiful countryside of Dalwood.
There was mud, river crossings and hills.... most of all we had a great time! Book early for 2025 as this is always a sell out event.
There are lots of images here, so please be patient, it may take a little while to load
A sunny morning in June 2024 saw the inaugral beta testing of Ruby Red Running's Branscombe International Trail Championships. A trail relay (3 per team) incorporating a 6 mile loop from the seafront at Branscombe with some 'undulating' hills....
Each leg started and finished outside the Sea Shanty with amazing beach views. What a location! The added twist was that each team had to collect scrabble pieces on their way round and then had to use their tired brains to work out the 12 letter word.
Watch out for the return in 2025 - with some tweaks and added surprises!
Park either at the pay car park at the Sea Shanty (EX12 3DP) or at Branscombe Village Hall (EX12 3DB)
A weekend of ordinary people achieving extraordinary feats!
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Courses will be marked, however there are some short sections where marking is not permitted. If participant do not have access to GPX then maps can marked at registration. Tracking will be available on GeoTracks |
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Courses will be marked, however there are some short sections where marking is not permitted. If participant do not have access to GPX then maps can marked at registration. Tracking will be available on GeoTracks |
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Courses will be marked, however there are some short sections where marking is not permitted. If participant do not have access to GPX then maps can marked at registration. Tracking will be available on GeoTracks |
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Courses will be marked, however there are some short sections where marking is not permitted. If participant do not have access to GPX then maps can marked at registration. |
On Saturday May 4th 100 plus runners took part in the East Devon Round. This was the 5th running of the Trail Running Festival incorporating 4 different events. The full round takes in a whopping 68.5 miles with 3,175 metres of ascent (pretty much every hill in East Devon) and passes Dalwood, Lyme Regis, Sidbury, Honiton and Luppitt, before finishing back at event HQ of Offwell Village Hall.
The East Devon half round finishes in the bluebell Iron Age fort of Blackbury Camp (including 37 miles and nearly 2,000 metres of ascent) and the EDR Qtr encompasses a 14 mile route from Blackbury Camp back to Offwell. The final race is available to those that have completed the East Devon half Round and includes the 2nd half of the race.
The race attracts many locals, with Honiton, Axminster, and Sidmouth Running clubs all represented, a strong Cornish contingent, alongside people from across the UK, as well as a select few international competitors each year (2 x Canadians and 1 x Dutch runner this year.)
Together the competitors ran over 3,750 miles and climbed twice the height of Everest, all in one day. It is always a coming together of wonderful like-minded people achieving extraordinary feats. Justin Montague (Seaton local) returned to win the Full in an incredible time of 12hrs 33mins, chased hard all day by Axe Valley Runner and local legend Rob Collier. Melissa Montague also returned to retain her trophy winning the Full in 15hrs 58mins, followed by previous winner and Cornish favourite Holly Holmes in 16hrs 07mins. Third home was Honiton Running Club’s very own Anna Drake in 17hrs 40mins. The final finishers completed the course around 2.30am in 21hrs 14mins.
Notable local performances in the East Devon half Round were Carla Tunnicliffe winning the half outright, Honiton locals Kevin Clarke and Nick Couch (3rd and 4th respectively), and Hannah Davies (helped or run at the event every year since 2019) coming in 2nd lady. Mark Dallyn (Honiton Running Club came in 3rd in the Other Half with Clare Melbourne (also Honiton RC) winning the ladies in the Other Half. Anthony Hatchard put in a strong performance to win the quarter, with Fiona Laramy (Offwell local) running strong to win the ladies. Lily Purchase and Lizzie Lanning were our youngest competitors, completing the EDR QTR aged 17, and this race also had a strong contingent of Honiton runners in Rachel Hennessey, Helen Williams, Vicky Henwood, Donna Stone and Tina Duckitt.
The event raises money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the Rich Wigram NZ Farming Scholarship and Offwell PTFA who host a magnificent Big Breakfast on the Sunday morning for hungry competitors to replenish some calories! It simply could not take place without a whole army of volunteers and helpers, cake bakers and route markers, but also over 50 farmer and landowner permissions – these include the Wyatts, Raymond Pike, Whitlands, Robert Reid, Rob Summers, Charlotte Furnival, Nick Reynold, Alan Derryman, Rodney Pring, Ray Willmington, Barry Simmonds, Rupert Douglas-Pennent, Andrew Luscombe, the Luppitt Commoners, Chris Davey, Fiona Page-turner, Wilf and Liz Tratt, John and Carolyn Earl, Jonathan Paveley and Pauline and John Hopkins. Without their support the event could not take place.
We are also wonderfully supported by a host of local companies including Ganesha Wholefoods, Otter Brewery, Ottery Valley Ice Cream, Heron Farm, Devonvale Flapjacks and Combe Garden Centre.
There are lots of images here so please be patient, this may take a little while to load...
Join Ruby Red Running for a beautiful run through the Blackdown Hills. With two challenging but stunning routes to choose from, everyone is encouraged to come and explore this area of outstanding natural beauty. All runners will be rewarded with a yummy treat at the finish line.
As you approach the village you will be met by parking marshals who will guide you to a suitable parking location.
Parking will be dependent on weather and 'ground' conditions.
To minimise the disruption to local residents, and reduce walk times to registration (could be up to 10min), we ask that you car share where ever possible. Entry on the day for both courses will be available. Please make your way to the village hall for both entry on the day and pre-entered Bib collection.
There are toilets at the village hall
Bags can be left in the village hall at your own risk
Timings
8.45: Parking opens (please do not arrive before this)
8.45: Registration opens
9.30: Entry on the day closes
9.45: Pre-entry bib collection closes
10.00: Dalwood 10K(ish) starts
10.05: Dalwood 3K(ish) starts
10.40(ish): First finisher on the 10K(ish)
12.00 Courses close
By its nature, trail running comes with some degree of risk, but thats part of the fun. During this event we will do our best to give you plenty of...
Mud (slippery and doesn't taste great if face plant in it).
River crossings (good for getting mud off, not good for breathing)
Trip hazards such as roots & stones (especially dangerous when combined with gravity and forward motion)
Hills (better than rivers, but still not good for breathing!)
Road crossings (mainly used by horses and tractors in these parts)
In all seriousness, the course is marked for navigation purposes, there will be marshals at road crossings but it is still your responsibility to ensure it is safe to cross.
What if I get injured and/or can't finish the course?
If you are unable to complete the course then please notify a marshal and ensure that you return to race HQ and let the finish team know you are back before leaving the event.
Please support other runners on the course, if there is an injury that needs medical attention then please provide help and notify the nearest marshals who will be able to contact the medical team.
Coming soon....
