The 2008 Grizzly Run, Seaton, Devon

The 2008 Grizzly started on the Esplanade on tarmac just like the London Marathon, but after a few hundred yards runners were directed onto the pebble beach where the course took them towards Axmouth Harbour.

After this first section of beach it was back on the road passing the start line for the second time with the first climb coming up very soon.

Back on tarmac and heading west, the runners left Seaton running into the village of Beer.

The running surface after leaving Beer varied between open fields, sometimes passing over loose stones, pebbles, water and mud going either uphill or downhill with a fence to cross and two jumps in between.

The run is famous for its muddy bog, where everybody sinks in up to her or his knees

But the toughest part came just after the bog, with a climb on a field that went up almost vertical with runners using their hands and feet to reach the top of the slope

Reaching Branscombe mouth where the container ship MS Napoli was beached January 2007, the race became extremely tough with another long section on the pebble beach leading into the "stairway to heaven".

After reaching Seaton Hole the runners ran along the beach finally reaching the Esplanade and crossing the finish line.

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The 2008 Grizzly Run.

Twentyish muddy, hilly, boggy, beachy miles of the multiest-terrain running experience you will find this side of the end of time. So what's it all about? Well, it's by no means the toughest race around; indeed, some say that it's getting too easy but they're missing the point. It has changed over the years and nearly died on a few occasions, but hundreds keep coming back for more, so the Axe Valley Runners must still be getting it right. Whatever it isn't, it is an experience.

The 2010 Grizzly will be on Sunday March 7th.

2008 Results.

The first four were:-

Lee Turner - Torbay AAC (2:24:34)
Ryan Prout - Thrift Green Trotters (2:27:40)
Neil Holmes - Erme Valley Harriers (2:27:56)
Jonathan Gilling - Wells City Harriers (2:30:44)

The first four women were:-

Donna McEwen - Bedford Harriers (2:45:49)
Emma Hitchins - South West Road Runners (2:46:39)
Sharon Daw East - Cornwall Harriers (2:52:18)
Phillippa Stephens - Weston AC (2:54:29)

The 2008 Grizzly took place at 10:30am on Sunday 9th March.

The Grizzly run is organised by the Axe Valley Runners (website www.axevalleyrunners.org.uk) who organised the first 8 mile long race in 1988 starting at Beer Head.

It is number three on the ranking of Britain's most popular running events just behind the London Marathon and the Great North Run

The Grizzly is different from the London Marathon and the Great North Run because it really does go 'cross country' for a distance of 19 to 20 miles, or round about 31 kilometres.

Interactive Map of the 2009 Course (opens in new window)

Previous races have been called:

1988: Unnamed Runners
1989: Torment Tenners
1990: Grizzly 12ers
1991: Hillockers and Rowlockers
1992: Eye of the Stormers
1993: Sting of the Butter-fliers
1994: Magical Memory Joggers
1995: Nightmare Returners
1996: Lemming Revengers
1997: Apocalypse-Yes!
1998: Flight of Fancy
1999: Insanity and in Health
2000: Another Brick
2001: A Race Oddity
2002: The Jokers in the Pack
2003: Jurassic Jaunt
2004: Infinity and Beyond
2005: A Thousand Steps for Mankind
2006: O'limpiyak Dilemma
2007: Armageddon NowHere
2008: Armageddon Again
2009:Trails And Tribulations
2010 Beauty and the Beach

The Grizzly raises monies for charity and the Axe Valley Runners donated £15,000 from the 2008 Grizzly to 39 Charities and Organisations. Some of those supported were, Devon Air Ambulance, Amnesty International, Ellies Haven, Exeter Kidney Unit, MacMillan Cancer, RSPB, Tibet Foundation and Water Aid.