Helsby

Grizzly

12th March 2006

5 fearless Wigan Phoenix members took part in this years Grizzly race in Seaton, Devon.

The race hosted by the Axe Valley runners is described on their web site as

"Twentyish muddy, hilly, boggy, beachy miles of the multiest-terrain edge-of-sanity running experience you will find this side of the end of time."

If you add to this some of the worst weather conditions the race has ever endured then you begin to understand the task facing the Phoenix runners on the day.

With the wind howling, the rain whipping in off the sea and the temperature hovering around freezing Pete Mitchinson, Alex Turnbull, Stu Holyoak, Mike Pitman and Paul Quirk set off with approx 1750 other runners along a shingle beach. The route climbed and descended from beach to cliff many times and included some of the steepest, muddiest tracks any of the runners had encountered. It was an achievement to stay upright and most runners took a tumble or two during the race.

The most difficult part of race came after 15 miles when the route descended steeply into a massive bog. The mud was nearly waste high in parts and had to be waded through for over 100 metres. Paul Quirk took a tumble at this stage catching his leg on a sunken root and ended up covered in clinging mud from head to toe - it took two runners to heave him upright but a quick dip in the nearby river got him on the move again.

The cold wind began to affect all the runners as they came to the last few miles along the cliff and then along the beach but all the WP lads finished the race in style and celebrated by being hosed down by the local fire brigade.

Stuart Holyoak took the honour of being first home in 3.03.52 followed by Grizzly veteran Mike Pitman in 3.10.27, Pete Mitchinson was third Phoenix runner home in 3.15.27 closely followed by Alex Turnbull in 3.18.28. Paul Quirk was the final member to finish in 3.53.52 and he reckoned he could have shaved a few seconds off that time had he not had to stop to get his running trousers cut off by an ambulance crew after the incident in the bog.

Stu Holyoak could possibly have shaved valuable minutes off his final time as he also had to stop to remove his running trousers which allowed both Messrs Pitman and Mitchinson to cruise past and put one in assuming he was taking an enforced toilet stop.

The Grizzly certainly lived up to its name this year and it is certainly a challenge for anyone who fancies a tough 20 mile off road race.

Highly recommended.