The 2005 Grizzly Run, Seaton, Devon

In 2005 the Grizzly course started on the Esplanade turned back on itself along the beach to Axmouth Harbour and back along the road to Beer. From Fore Street in Beer the course ran through the Beer Head Caravan Park and over the Hooken Cliffs to Branscombe Mouth.

The race ran on across the Bulstone Road, woodlands and fields to the infamous Bog at Hole down to the Fountain Head and back to Branscombe Mouth along the Coastal Path.

It was then a punishing stretch along Hooken Beach to where the steps begin at the foot of Hooken Cliff, up through the Under Hooken Landslip to the top of the cliffs and South Down Common back along the Coastal Path to Beer over the White Cliffs to Seaton Hole and back along Seaton Beach to the finish line on the Esplanade

Along the route besides the drinks and sweets offered by the Grizzly volunteers there are various musicians playing, a lone bag piper in the field above Beer Head caravan park, the Shingle drummers by the Sea Shanty at Branscombe Mouth and the Grizzly Band ‘Rooting Around’ at the Fountain Head Pub.

On the beach at the foot of the steps leading up the Under Hooken Landslip there is usually a driftwood ‘shrine’ where runners can tie a ribbon or place a pebble in memory of someone who is dear to them or just stop for a moment to reflect on a thing that really matters to them.

The Grizzly is open to runners over the age of 18 and such is the demand for running places the organisers have limited the entry to 2,000 runners with entry forms available for the 2006 Grizzly available from Axe Valley Runners from mid September 2005.

Each year the Grizzly Run is given a legend, for 2005 the Race was sub-titled ‘A Thousand Steps for Mankind’ which ties in with Seaton’s celebrations for the town’s millennium year commemorating the granting of the Town Charter in 1005.

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The 2005 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.

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 this year, £10,000 was donated to the Tsunami appeal with a further £7,000 being given to local groups and charities.