The Grizzly 2024
The sun shone brightly as the town crier made our calling, nerves and excitement filled the air for the challenge ahead. With a constant week of rain on the lead up, it was difficult to know what laid ahead for us to tackle. With multiple tannoy announcements of "Plumstead Runners" it was wonderful to know that the 30 years of previous footfall from our club has left its mark.
Onto the beach and the cacophony of noise as thousands of runners displace the stones. The first sap to the legs, this stretch looks short to the eye, yet never-ending to the thighs. Circling back past the wonderful supporters as you leave Seaton and up, up, up the hill. With the drums playing mid climb, running to the beat.
Through the caravan park, packed with supporters and up, up again. You're rewarded by that climb with the most beautiful view of the bay.
The waterlogged fields churned up pretty quickly, with no way to stay upright on the camber. But it was always a soft landing. Giggling ensued as we collectively slid, clambered and caught each other down to the beach. Here the race splits from Cub to Grizzly. The insane amount of mud already experienced, made me realise this wasn't going to be a standard race this year, no way was I missing out on this one. Turn right and follow the drumming as we took our first steps onto the Grizzly route.
What lay in wait was no mean feat, high running bogs full of ice cold water, constant slip and slides for miles and miles. With every turn a surprise, another climb, another camber. Just jog where you can to make up some mileage. Up the escarpment, enough to make your head feel dizzy, but as you look back you're always rewarded with a breathtaking view.
The scramble up the thickest sludge and steepest hill cost us time, but not comedy value. With only a rope to cling to, we all had to work together to beat this one. "Pull the rope tight!". Unbelievable sense of achievement as you reached the top. You're then greeted with plenty of cake and snacks, hydration. Plus a hand-wash for the mud! There are so many water stops along the way, you can relax into the run knowing you're well looked after.
Back down to the beach and time to tie a ribbon on the tree for an absent friend, a moment of reflection and realisation that you couldn't feel more alive. Two ribbons tied in Plums colours. This year we were fortunate enough to run along the sand with the waves lapping our trainers. Before heading up to tackle the "stairway to heaven" back up that cliff. The burn in your calves at this point in the race is unreal. But you know you have broken the back of the race. The most picturesque spot to find a photographer with the cliffs as a backdrop.
A final two miles to run in, winding back through the caravan park, which now has a free beer stand! The race leads you through little villages full of musical support and locals. A bugle call from our club player Ali, who brings you home. Never a better sound.
Up the steps, one final climb. Then back down, down, down through the gardens and into the town. Your legs are still shifting with the excitement that you can see the finish line from a distance, jogging it steadily home.
Always a wonderful line up of Plums, some cubs already with a beer in hand. We made it home with a tale to tell... it sure was Grizzly out there!
The Grizzy 2024 - race report from Vikki Russell
