The upside from being a DNS for tomorrows run meant I could do the clubs Blackdown Beauty. The downside of this meant no parkrun for the second week in a row.
‘The Blackdown Beauty is a social run in the wonderful countryside of the Blackdown Hills. Various routes between 10.5 and 18 miles are available via 4 pubs (18 mile route) and a cream tea. This is not a race but it is a chance to run, jog and walk in good company enjoying the outstanding scenery on this beautiful, sometimes demanding course following public footpaths and minor roads. ‘
My friend and I bravely opted for the 18 miler:- ’18 mile route heads though pine woods to the Queens Arms at Pitminster. The route then goes cross country to Blagdon Hill and up to the Merry Harriers pub and then on to the Half Moon at Clayhidon. The next stop is at Pear Tree Cottage at Stapley for a superb cream tea provided by the “legendary” Smeatharpe WI, then on to the York Inn at Churchinford and finally back to Priors Park Farm via Otterhead Lakes’.
I had two concerns about this run
- Its not marshalled, you follow printed directions like this4. Through farm and onto FP across common. Straight along top of common to gate at far end. Continue on FP to stile.
5. Down track 100m then right at FP sign. Keep RT round fence and follow track to large dead tree, and turn left down FP (very unclear) through rough boggy ground then angle right through more bog to gate in the hedge.
6. Turn RT, go through 2nd gate then left to 3rd gate & follow hedge line down field to road at Bellet’s Farm. Straight across road to FP down side of house. Please replace string after closing gate.
2. My stomach has issues with running how was it going to cope with a cream tea, after 10 miles?
Happy to report that the navigating went well, (if you don’t count the getting lost getting there) The instructions great and the white drawing pins on gates, stiles, footpath signs reassured us that we were going the right way.
The stomach behaved, coped with two diet cokes and the cream tea (without the cream), maybe I should adopt this fueling for every run.
I got stung, scratched, electrocuted (‘the fence is on cry’ came too late for me) and I almost disappeared in to a bog, great day, great run.
Here are some pics…..
The pubs
The Cream Tea
The Route
The Scenery
The girl I ran with, started running in January, today she ran 18.5 miles. 0 to 18.5 miles in 7 months is amazing! Well done to her.
shazruns 
So beautiful! I’d love to run this one day.
Looks and sounds beautiful and challenging. Lovely photos and well done on running with the cream tea and to your running buddy on her long run!
Jealousy attack
Phil you need to plan a Devon trip around this run it’s a must!
We do live in a beautiful part of the world! Great job to your friend – 0 to 18 miles is excellent!
What an awesome run!
What a fabulous run! Well done on 18 miles.
Hmm if your chum ran 18.5 miles on an 18 mile course you should have a stern word with her. Seriously impressive achievement and fantastic photos well done!
Sounds like a good run. And with a cream tea, well that’s even better! I like the sound of this one.
Well done.
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