Teenage talent on the European stage and a Dawlish Dash

Thirteen year-old Ella Richards from Torbay Athletic Club has achieved international success at an adult European Para championship.

Ella, who attends Teign School in Kingsteignton, was born with a global learning delay. This affects her ability to process information and causes delays with her learning. At the age of seven, Ella discovered her love of running from taking part in local parkrun events and progressed to joining an athletic club. Soon, she was taking part in local competitions.

Due to Ella‘s intellectual impairment, she was put forward for international classification as a T-20 athlete in the para athletics category. Ella was selected to represent Great Britain in Sweden at the Vitus European championships in June, a huge achievement for the 13 year-old.

She competed in the 1500m, achieving a time of 4.59 and came 2nd to a Ukrainian athlete. She was also 2nd to the same lady in the 800 m with a time of 2.24. This is such an amazing achievement for Ella to leave with two silver European medals in an adult event, where she was likely the youngest competitor at the event.

Ella trains at Torbay Athletic Club with her coach Hayley Ratcliff and the endurance group, who support her during races and training! They are all so proud of her success, it is an amazing achievement and experience to compete at an international level and to leave with two silver medals.

Torbay AAC joined a field of 212 participants for the Dawlish Coastal Dash. As the day progressed, the clouds started building up and the wind becoming increasingly blustery. I think most had the fleeting thought that we could just bin it off and stay home in the warm!

But Torbay AAC are made of sterner stuff and on arrival, the turn-out was testament to the affection that the Dawlish Dash holds in the local race calendar. The team photo was taken, buffeted by the wind and needled by the icy rain.

After a rousing send off by the race director, there was the short section along the promenade before dropping down on the beach. Unfortunately, the rain hadn’t made the sand into a hard packed running surface, with every step the feet sank.

Some zig zagged the beach in search of firm sand, scrambling across the groynes until the turn around point came into sight. With a quick turn, it was back the way we came. Totally on soft sand now with the wind and rain in the runner’s faces. The legs kept turning over, trying to keep the ankles stable and once up the steps, the solid ground was a welcome relief.

The stretch along the railway line was tough, wind pushing them back and driving rain stinging the eyes. The stones underfoot slick with water and the waves crashing over the sea wall soaking the odd runner or two.

Runners kept close to the railway and the up and over the bridge couldn’t come soon enough. After the sharp little hill, a more sheltered section was a relief with the wind and rain once again at their backs. Competitors followed the path and managed to relax the stride, over the bridge to the final sprint to the finish line.

All were delighted to see the iconic Coaster coasters back for 2024, and after the race they all lined up, shivering for a delicious ice cream which was included in the race entry, freezing cold, soaking wet and very happy. Congratulations to the first-time racers in the team, the next race will feel easy after this. It was a Dash to remember!

Full results as follows:
18 Anthony Raine 27:24
20 Craig Davies 27:31
31 Mark Atkinson 28:45
43 Mark Smith 30:46
45 Rebecca Niles 31:04
65 Nathan Thomas 33:33
72 Liam Hyde 34:25
87 Sara Jane Crozier 35:37
92 Tessa Hearfield 36:04
100 Andy Philippou 36:48
112 Ian Sharrock 37:43 121
Jade Smith 38:39 133
Kirsten Mundy 39:11
135 Glen Hawkins 39:20
136 Rachel Collins 39:20
141 Ray Brown 39:32
196 Jenny Smart 48:47