There were 54 finishers in the Dalwood Fayre 10k multi-terrain race and Honiton Running Club was very well represented with 16 members taking part. This hilly and muddy race was held on the evening of Wednesday, 13th August. The race also attracted a number of locals who fancied a challenge. The race was won by Tim Lenton of local Axe Valley Runners in the very quick time of 40 minutes 21 seconds.

First in for Honiton was Ian Stewart who came a very creditable 5th overall in 42:49. Richard Harvey was next back having been followed for most of the race by Bruce Strawrbridge. Richard was 11th in 48:33 with Bruce one place later in 49:11. Tom Dunn, presently on a break home from his studies, has obviously been training as he wasn’t far behind coming in 17th place in 50:18. John Burgess was delighted with his race as he finished within seconds of last year’s time in 25th place in 55:07. John had overtaken Mark Andow in the latter stages and Mark eventually finished two places behind in 56:19. Nick Thorpe managed to come in front of Honiton’s first lady, Lesley Crocker. Nick came 28th in 57:14 with Lesley two places and 23 seconds later. Dan Brett is quicker on flatter courses but he did well to come 35th in 1:01:25. Louise Saunders has been turning up to training nights regularly recently and this has paid off as she was pleased to finish 38th in 1:04:05. Honiton took quite a few of the remaining places with Linda Pike, Pete Lyus and Sandra Thorpe coming 44th, 45th and 46th within less than 90 seconds of each other. Linda 1:08:01, Pete 1:08:25 and Sandra 1:09:24. The three remaining Honiton runners closely followed with Carol Turnham coming 48th in 1:11:05, Wendy Williams 49th in 1:11:16 and Jayne Barlow 51st in 1:13:35.

As usual, there was a great atmosphere at the finish with enthusiastic support for the runners crossing the line. Plenty of tasty curry and chips were on offer as well as the usual liquid refreshments of the Tucker’s Arms.

The 10K Sidmouth Festival Run is renowned for its fearsome start. The runners climb 400ft from Jacobs Ladder to the top of Peak Hill in just a half a mile. This is a leg aching average gradient of 20% with some sections well over 30%. Once up the hill the race then heads out over the flat tracks of Mutters Moor before plunging down a muddy path round Bulverton Hill. More climbing brings the runners back to the woods above the golf course and a mile long forest trail which is a joy to run. After regaining the top of the moor there is the unrelenting sprint back town the hill to the finish. The race was won by Liam Roberts of Axe Valley Runners with the impressive time of 0:43:45. Honiton Running Club was well represented with Ian Stewart very pleased to lead them home in 9th place and nearly 3 minutes quicker than last year. Next in was Graham Reeves who also moved up the order with a faster run than 2011. For Howard Bidmead this is a must-do race and he came in next followed closely by Rod Inglis. John Burgess was going as hard as he could at 5 miles when he was overtaken by team mate Graham Rooms who had enough energy to be chatting with another runner. Graham crossed the line 12 seconds in front of John. Nick Bradley-Carter was next home ruing the fact that he had been for a 10 mile run the previous day. Finally new and improving club member Kathy Layzell came charging down the hill to the finish having enjoyed the run – well all of it after that fearsome start.

Honiton RC results:
 9th Ian Stewart, 0:43:45: 23rd Graham Reeves 0:48:50: 35th Howard Bidmead, 0:51:25: 41st Rod Inglis, 0:53:28: 56th Graham Rooms, 0:55:59: 57th John Burgess 0:56:11: 78th Nick Bradley-Carter 1:01:03: 101st Kathy Layzell, 1:10:59 

Crewkerne Running Club’s Hasebury Trail took place last Wednesday evening and the only Honiton Running Club representative was Ian Stewart. The race is a two lap course of 10k starting and finishing at North Perrott Cricket Club. The route is varied and interesting without being too difficult. There are a number of obstacles including countless stiles as well as footbridges and a ford. There is one major climb which has to be taken twice, but it is relatively short and sharp. Local Axe Valley Runner, Alex Todd, won the race in a time of 40 minutes 11 seconds and Ian finished in a very creditable 7th place in a time of 43:35. There were 91 runners.

Kevin Hawker and Wendy Williams of Honiton RC travelled to Shaves Cross last Saturday night to take part tin the Shaves Cross Mini Marathon. This is a tough five mile race celebrating its 65th Anniversary. It started with two laps of a rutted field where the local fete was taking place, then up a hill over one mile long. Kevin came home in first place in 29:50; over 90 seconds ahead of the runner who finished in second place, winning a huge trophy to keep for the year. Wendy had a great run coming in 61st out of 85 runners, having a storming second half of the race which had a tough uphill finish to the fete. Both celebrated with a lamb spit roast to restore some energy.

Nick Bradley-Carter, Sam Shute and Graham Reeves took part in the Totnes 10k last Sunday morning, The journey down was in near torrential rain at times, and didn't ease until just before the start, when the clouds parted slightly and the sun came out for most of the race. The course was very wet and muddy; one puddle was nearly waist deep as Graham found out. Graham led the Honiton runners home despite feeling unwell during the race finishing in 60th place in 46:57, Nick was next home in 181st place and happy with his time of 55:47, Sam was next in 363rd place with a time of 67-50.