Running Shoes.

Exmouth Harriers have five members of the Dupain family amongst their number, writes Ellie Sutcliffe.

On the final Saturday of May all five headed up the coast to take part in the Sidmouth Running Club organised ‘Little Long Run’.

The twee oxymoronic name in fact beguiles the difficulty of the challenge that the race presents to participants. It may only be 3.8 miles long, but it is a category B fell race involving some very steep sections of ascent!

Further, the route represents something of an obstacle course with lots of things to jump (logs), avoid (nettles) and cross (rivers). It was the first staging of the race and with just 44 finishers it was, in the true manner of fell running, a low-key, but friendly affair.

The Dupains all finished in the top half of the field. Chris Dupain finished in 11th place overall in a time of 40:44; this was after overtaking Ben White when Ben went the wrong way, (as Emma Dupain’s partner, Ben is an honorary family member!),.

In the end Ben finished in 44:14 which gave him a creditable 13th place. If he brushes up on his navigation, that could be a top ten placing next time!

Hannah Bown, née Dupain, came in as second female, finishing just one place and less than two minutes behind the first woman in 44:15.

This have her 15th place overall; quite an achievement considering that being so petite the river was a lot higher on her than on most of the other competitors! Nigel ‘Pops’ Dupain had a good run finishing in 47:10 for 18th place.

Emma rounded up the team in 21st place and fourth female with a time of 49:10. She was pleased just to be back running and to finish comfortably in this, her first race since an accident that led to a few cracked ribs.

The race was won by Chris Gill of Tiverton Harriers in a nimble 32:31.