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Nearly 300 ‘Jolly Running’ supporters try to ‘Beat the Train

19th February 2019

Categories: Visitor News

Devon-based trail-running company ‘Jolly Running’ is working with the steam operated South Devon Railway to put on an unusual running event with a difference this coming Sunday (17 February) when over 300 participant runners will not only be racing against each other from Totnes to Staverton, alongside the River Dart through the Dartington Hall estate, but also have to race a Steam Train as well!

Jolly Running was unsure initially how many runners would be interested in a race to beat the train, but they have flocked in and, if successful, this could well become an annual event coinciding with the start of the South Devon Railway’s running season for February half-term week.

As the runners line up next to the platform at Totnes Riverside Station on Sunday morning, spectators will board the Jolly Running Express Race Train and, when the loco blows its whistle at 9.15am, the race will be on!

Both the steam train and the runners will be heading to Staverton Station, the mid-point on the seven mile heritage railway. Runners will proceed there on riverside paths and trails through woodland on the Dartington Hall estate, and spectators on the train will get views of the runners as the train heads along its scenic route.

When they reach Staverton Station, both the runners and the train turn back and return to Totnes and the finishing line. Competition is expected to be stiff as to who will get there first and which runners will beat the train.

Brian Lewis of ‘Jolly Running’ said: “The riverside route along from Totnes is one of our favourite trail runs and we wanted to bring a trail event with a twist to this area. Knowing the gorgeous route the heritage steam trains take on the other side of the river, we knew that this time it had to be leg power versus steam power. We are delighted that South Devon Railway were keen to be involved and work with us to bring this event to life.”

South Devon Railway PR & Business Development Manager said: “We’re looking forward to the first running event that the SDR has ever been involved in with so many new faces coming to see us. It’ll be part of a busy weekend for us at the start of our running season for February half-term week, and we’d like to make this an annual event if possible.”

Tracey Jolly of ‘Jolly Running’ said: “We were very excited that SDR loved our idea and that making the event an experience which can involve the whole family where everyone can experience the wonder of travelling on a steam train whilst participating in an event that also races the train. It has been a pleasure working with SDR. Our bespoke souvenir medal design just had to include a SDR steam train, so it was obvious that it had to feature the runners moving by sliding alongside the train to depict them racing it.’

The South Devon Railway is open all day on both Saturday 16^th and Sunday 17^th February, with Sunday’s race starting at 9.15am and the first normal service train then leaving Totnes at 10.25am. Please check the SDR website for details at www.southdevonrailway.co.uk