We’re passionate about caring for the Coast Path and that means being aware of the impact users have on trails. Particularly, large-scale activities like trail running events. Events help make experiencing the freedom and beauty of our Path easy and fun for people of all ages and backgrounds, but the increased footfall makes our job harder. Our Coast Path Friendly scheme is one way that trail running event organisers can help maintain the trail their events use by giving £1 of every race registration fee straight back into looking after the Coast Path. It’s a great way that runners and event organisers can help protect the trail they enjoy, not only for themselves but for the many other people who also use it.
One of our Coast Path Friendly events is The Grizzly, a multi-terrain race across the glorious East Devon coastline and countryside and the major event in the calendar of Axe Valley Runners. Through organising the Grizzly, the club has been able to raise thousands of pounds for local, national, and international charities with donations since 1988 of more than £500k.
We are delighted that since 2020, The Grizzly organisers have nominated the South West Coast Path Association as their charity partner and we have received £4,100 in donations from them. We caught up with Patrick Kinsella from the volunteer-based Grizzly Organising Committee to ask him a few questions about the race and why supporting the South West Coast Path Association is so important to the Axe Valley Runners.
When was the first Grizzly?
The very first Grizzly took place in 1988 –there were only 27 participants that year, and the course was only 6 miles long. Now, over 2,000 runners take on a much longer, far grizzlier course each year.
What is the race distance and the route?
The mixed-terrain course has changed often over the years, but it always covers around 20 miles, starting and finishing in Seaton, Devon, and going out through Beer and Branscombe – taking in beaches, bogs, country lanes, farmland, fields, forests and, of course, the coast path.
When and why did The Grizzly first start to raise funds for charity?
It has always been a community focused event, organised entirely by volunteers and the Axe Valley Runners, and it’s important for us to direct the funds raised back into the charities, community groups and organisations that help us stage the race. Since 1988 the Grizzly has raised and donated over £500,000 to local, national and international groups and charities.
Why was the SWCPA selected as a charity to support?
The South West Coast Path doesn’t just form a very important part of the Grizzly race route – for locals and members of the Axe Valley Runners it’s our training ground. We’re unbelievably lucky to have this beautiful trail right on our doorstep, but we’re also very aware of how fragile it is, and how expensive maintaining it can be. As such, we wanted to show our appreciation to the SWCPA for the great job they do, and also to raise awareness of the challenges the path faces.
Do competitors understand the importance of The Grizzly being a Coast Path Friendly event?
We do our best to inform entrants about what it takes to keep the South West Coast Path in good condition, so it can remain open to runners and walkers.
What would you say to any trail-running event organisers who are considering becoming Coast Path Friendly?
I would urge them to do it – you can’t take the trail for granted. The South West Coast Path is free for everyone to use, all day every day of the year, as it should be, but we have to recognise that the path requires maintenance in order to remain open, and where possible regular users of the trail should make a contribution. If need be, add a pound to the entry fee and use this as a chance to do some messaging, letting competitors know how much work is required to keep the path runnable.
If you’re a trail event organiser or a competitor and would like to find out more about our Coast Path Friendly scheme go to: https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/friendly-events
If you’d like to know more about The Grizzly and other events that the Ave Valley Runners Club organise go to: https://www.axevalleyrunners.org.uk
A big shout out to Pat and the team at Axe Valley Runners for supporting us and giving back to the South West Coast Path.
All images by Photo-fit.com
The South West Coast Path 