The Grizzly

The Good, The Bad and The Grizzly

Sunday 17 March 2024

Axe Valley Runners welcome you to the 36th Grizzly: ‘The Good, The Bad and The Grizzly’. 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. To date, approximately £500,000 has been donated over the past 35 years.

The race is now full – thank you for your continued support. Places do become available and are advertised on the Grizzly 2024 Facebook page. Amendments/Transfers can be made on the Race Nation website.

Grizzly Change Form

All changes of runner or race must now been done in person at the Information Desk at Race HQ on Sunday morning before 10am.

Any lost or forgotten number requiring replacement at the weekend will incur a £2 cash fee and proof of identity.

Social Media

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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.