The Grizzly

The Good, The Bad and The Grizzly

Sunday 17 March 2024

The 36th Grizzly, ‘The Good, The Bad and The Grizzly’, has been run and won in the muddiest conditions anyone can remember (although the sun belatedly turned up on the day). Congratulations to all the category winners (details below), but a massive well done to absolutely everyone who took part in the Grizzly, the Cub and the GrizFest. It was tough out there, but I’m sure you will agree that our wonderful volunteers, marshals and musicians – and all the excellent supporters who take it upon themselves to line the course and dish out jelly babies, cakes and shouts of encouragement to all who need them – make this event totally unique and very special. We even had a marriage proposal at the Memory Tree on Branscombe Beach – a Grizzly first as far as we know.

2024 Results & Photographs

More than 1300 runners completed the 20-mile full Grizzly. First home in an amazing time, given the conditions, was Sam Kelly of Exmouth Harriers in 2:20.36 for his second successive win. Making her Grizzly debut and winner of the women’s race in a simply incredible time of 2:37.25 was AVR’s Emily Cowper-Coles who flew around the course making the most of her fell running experience.

More than 630 completed the Cub race, won by another debutant, Harry McMahon, in 1:06.54. The AVR member has just turned 17 making him eligible to take part in his first Grizzly Cub. First woman in the Cub was Vegan Runner, Caroline McAleese. .

The full 2024 race results are now available here.

And you can find (and purchase) fantastic photographs from the races here.

Now rest your legs and watch this space and the socials for announcements about next year’s Grizzly…

Social Media

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Remember, this is a not-for-profit race organised solely by local volunteers and any net profits from the race are donated to various local groups, organisations and charities. Approximately £500,000 has been donated over the past 35 years.

New Grizzlers be warned

The Grizzly and Cub are running races and has more than 3,000′ ascent in its 20 miles. There are two sections of beach (pebbles), totalling well over a mile; two energy-sapping bogs, where runners are often up to their waists in water and mud; and the infamous “Stairway to Heaven”, a steep path up the side of a cliff (beware if you suffer from vertigo). Some of the descents are steep and often very slippery, so please take care. It will take roughly your road marathon time, perhaps longer if conditions are grim.

Both the Grizzly and the Cub courses are the same as in 2023, but please still study the route map carefully.

This video will give you a taster of what you can expect from the Grizzly.

And here are some helpful Do’s and Don’t’s for the race weekend.

Environmentally friendly Grizzly

Following the success of 2023 we will continue to take further steps towards becoming a more environmentally friendly event. This is now a cup-free event (so please carry your own bladder pack or bring a reusable cup to be filled around the course).

We will again be using biodegradable marking tape around the course. Finally, we have introduced multiple-use polyester marshal bibs instead of single-use plastic bibs. We hope to make further changes in the years ahead, so please help us in our drive towards an environmentally friendly Grizzly.

Race t-shirts

No free race t-shirts will be given out to runners at the end of the event, but Grizzly race shirts will be available from our local supplier – ShipShape from early January, further details will be posted on this web site and our social media platforms.

Grizzly medals will be given to all finishers.

Merchandise

The Grizzly 2024 Race T shirts and other grizzly related items are now available to order through our supplier, Shipshape.

Grizzly hoodies, bobble hats and snoods will be available in the Race HQ (The Gateway Theatre) during the Grizzly weekend. CASH ONLY PLEASE

Sponsors

EAST DEVON PHYSICAL THERAPY

Thanks to East Devon Physical Therapy, who again sponsored the Grizzly race. Guy Sweetman and his team have been long-term supporters of the race, for which we are very grateful. Guy and his team offered a much needed massage at the finish line again this year. All proceeds went to charity.

LYME BAY WINERY

Lyme Bay Winery has supported the Grizzly for many years. They are a local company producing delicious and award winning English wine, fruit wine, cider, mead, liqueurs and spirits from their home in Devon’s beautiful Axe Valley

WBW SOLICITORS

This is the first year WBW Solicitors have sponsored the Grizzly. The Seaton office is one of thirteen offices across the South West, their expert teams are able to offer specialist advice and support on a broad range of legal and financial services to both individuals and businesses.

Official charity partner – South West Coast Path Association

The Grizzly Committee nominated the South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA) as the official charity partner for 2020. Given that the Grizzly  runners use part of the glorious South West Coast Path we wanted to support its continued protection and improvement. We were able to donate £2100 in 2020, and in 2023 a further donation of £2000 was made.