Honiton runners took part in Kilmington Primary School’s Kilmington Kanter 7 mile multi-terrain race on Good Friday with some good results. There are two substantial climbs making this a fairly challenging route. Ben Stone was first back for Honiton coming 4th in 46 minutes 38 seconds picking up a prize for his efforts. Just back from holiday looking like he had been tangoed, Tim Legg also picked up an age category prize finishing 11th overall in 52:20. Tom Bornet had a good run to finish 19th in 52:20 with Steve Davey hot on his heels just one place later and 22 seconds. Richard Harris had a great race finishing 23rd in 53:18 and Mark Dallyn, still with London Marathon in his legs, did well to come 32nd in 55:23. Judy Davey was the first Honiton lady home finishing 39th overall in 57:23 picking up a prize for 3rd lady. Pippa Westall wasn’t far behind coming 43rd in 59:15. Tony Peek found he had set off too fast yet again and suffered with stitch as a result. He sprinted to beat Louise Crisp to the finish line in 48th place in 1:01:28 with Louise crossing the line just 4 seconds later. She struggled a bit but was running with tired legs after a heavy training week. Howard Bidmead ran with his step daughter to complete the line-up coming 81st in 1:24:05. Tom Merson won the race in 38:36 and there were 85 finishers. Upon their return, runners were treated to a welcome cup of tea and hot cross bun. Juniors Rowan Westall and Megan Burton took part in the Fun Run.

Louise Crisp and Tony Peek were out again last Sunday taking part in Plymouth’s Half Marathon. This time it was Louise’s turn to beat Tony. She was delighted to achieve another personal best time finishing in 1 hour 48 mins. Tony was only 1 minute behind having found the last half a mile really hard going mainly being it was up hill! It was a good route, with varied scenery although there was a long slope of a hill at about 4 miles before a nice downhill stretch. Then it was through the National Trust’s Saltram Park before going out along the Embankment and turning around  heading back into the city via The Barbican. The weather was kind for most of the run with drizzle at about 11 miles but even that soon cleared. A very well organised event.

Honiton Running Club members have been travelling the country to compete in various spring marathons. Clare Melbourne took part in the Manchester Marathon on 6th April. She has been training hard and completed it tired and exhausted in 4 hour 46 minutes. The race was won by Andi Jones in 2:16.

Kevin Hawker and Stephen Boyes’ marathon was a bit closer to home in Taunton. Kevin had an aim to finish before 3:15 which would give him an automatic entry into next year’s London Marathon. He had an incredible run smashing that target to come an amazing 5th overall, 2nd in age category in 2:56. Definitely a ticket to London! Step Boyes managed to get around without walking although he hit the wall at 17miles reducing him to a much slower pace. He finished in 3:43, 86th place overall. The race was won by Alan Ryder in 2:47.

Six runners travelled to London to take part in the London Marathon on 13th April. It was a lovely day for spectators but maybe a bit too hot for the runners. First back for Honiton was Hadleigh Davies who achieved a great personal best time of over 5 minutes. He finished in 3:22 having raised about £1800 for his charity CLIC Sargent. Steve Davey was next back pleased to have finished but disappointed not to have been closer to 3:30. He finished in 3:41 having raised money for the club’s charity of the year Devon Air Ambulance after gaining a place through the club ballot. Julie Payne was the first Honiton lady back finishing 3 minutes after Steve. She had got her place for running a previous marathon in a ‘good for age’ time. She has completed the race before and found this one a long hard painful struggle compared to previous runs. Mark Dallyn had won the other club ballot place so was also raising money for Devon Air Ambulance as well as Help for Heroes. He was quite happy to finish in 4:03 after suffering painful muscle tightening. It was JoJo Davey’s second marathon and she was beat her previous record by 6 minutes finishing next in 5:05 having raised about £1800 for Prostrate Cancer.She thoroughly enjoyed the day echoing all the runners’ opinions of great atmosphere and support along the way. It was also Gary Enticott’s first marathon and he bravely tackled it despite suffering from injury during training. In the end he was just pleased to compete and finish! His recorded time was 5:17. Well done to all the marathon runners and for the amazing amount of money raised for all the very worthwhile charities.

Honiton Running Club held its Hippo and Calf runs last Sunday with the base at Honiton Primary School. Runners didn’t complain about the weather which was a little damp and drizzly but warm enough; much better than the forecast! The main Honiton Hippo race is just over 7 miles in length involving plenty of variety. Runners first run down the road to the entrance of Combe Woods before circling the woods and coming back on the road to Combe Raleigh. They then face the challenging St Cyres’ Hill running on road and through woods. Next it’s down towards Awliscombe only to be taken off road and into the Land Rover Experience to go straight back up the hill again. A quick run around the Land Rover Experience followed involving several muddy soakings and down to the first river crossing. This cleaned runners off a bit before the climb through fields and eventually picking up the road back to the school. Just when runners thought they were nearly there, they were sent through a couple of fields before the main river crossing. Luckily a strapping fireman in the form of Warren Oak was there to lend a hand and pull out the 250 runners. The race was won by Robert Ellis in the very quick time of 52 minutes 20 seconds and the first lady home was Elizabeth Dyson who managed just under the hour to finish in 59:56. Most Honiton RC members were involved in helping or marshalling but some did take part with the first back also being the youngest. Kyle Hartnell finished 14th in 1:01:33. Another youngster followed in the form of Findlay Fuller in 24th place in 1:04:28. Richard Harris was Honiton’s first ‘grown up’ coming 31st in 1:05:43. Another under 18 followed with Henry Riddle coming 38th in1:07:15. Steve Selley came 40th in 1:08:13 after reporting that he had taken a full dunking at one of the river crossings. James Matheson was next back in 44th place in 1:10:20 followed closely by Louise Crisp two places later in 1:10:40. Louise was very surprised to find she had won the trophy for her age category. Tom Dunn, home from university for Easter, was next back coming 58th in 1:12:19. Pippa Westall had a great run finishing 71st in 1:15:43 with Tony Peek not too far behind at 76th in 1:17:43. Esme Wilson finished with her friend coming 83rd in 1:19:01.Rosanna Lyus was encouraged by her dad to run and ended up beating him by 2 places to finish 115th in 1:25:56 with her dad, Pete, 22 seconds behind. Lin Pike followed in 122nd place in 1:27:55 having had a great race with Pete and Carol Turnham who came 128th in exactly 1:29. The field was dominated by red vests worn by 23 Bere Alston Trekkers all running together. They crossed the line holding hands to huge cheers from the crowd.   

The Calf is open to youngsters of 9  years and over and is approximately 1 ¾ miles in length. It follows the same route as the Hippo until coming out of Combe Woods when the Calf runners are sent back to base on the road. Unfortunately, much to the disappointment of most of the youngsters but to the relief of others, this year it was decided that the river was a little deep and potentially dangerous for the youngsters to cross.  The race was won by Bobby Simpson in 12 minutes even if he did take an interesting path back through the school!  Honiton’s Jack Elsom was given 2nd place although he actually crossed the finish line first! Sam Dowson won U13B coming 4th in 12.56 followed by Florence Swan 1 place later who was 1st female. Thomas Lilley came 10th in 14:14 followed by Jamie Porter who came 19th in 15:24. Max Salter was next back for Honiton RC in 21st place in 15:41. Hannah Land was next back coming 26th in 16:17 followed by James Oak 30th in 17 mins. Megan Burton came 35th in 18:40 with Zayna Small following 2 places later in 21:02. There were 38 finishers.

Thanks to everyone for supporting the run and those who helped including marshals and cake makers and especially the land owners for allowing 500 feet to trample their ground. Honiton’s next event is the Blackdown Beauty in July with places going quickly. Visit www.honitonrc.com for more information.