Shane Hudd of Honiton Running Club ran the Torrington Christmas Caper on Sunday, 21st December. A 9.8 mile course took runners along trails, through muddy tracks and fields, up hills and through a few bogs too.  The well organised event started and finished at the rugby club. All runners were rewarded with a Christmas pudding and clotted cream. Shane finished 85th out of 185 runners in 1:27:42 and highly recommends this muddy fun run.

On the same day several other HRC members took part in the Wellington Monument race which is just over 10k. It was a mild cloudy morning in Hemyock and the gruelling hill with 16% incline took runners up towards Simonsburrow before levelling out and circling Wellington Monument and then descending the same hill. Runners were rewarded with a mince pie, warming mulled wine and a commemorative bottle of Sheppy’s local cider. The race was won by Rowan Preece of Taunton AC in the time of 33 minutes 51 seconds and first back for Honiton was Paul Williams who came 43rd in 44:52. Mark Dallyn was next back coming 55th in 46:49 and Helen Davy finished 98th in 51:10 winning a category prize. Helen’s daughter Morgan also won a prize for 1st Under 18 female coming 122nd overall in 53:29. It was Claire Burrough’s first ever race and she did brilliantly to come 138th in 55:11. Helen’s other daughter Sasha completed the HRC contingency to come 141st in 55:19. There were 196 finishers.  

Last Saturday morning saw the Sidmouth Running Club’s Reindeer Run. This is an off road 10k race with plenty of reindeer and Santas taking part as well as the usual club and social runner. The race was won by Mike Musgrove in 39 minutes 19 seconds with Honiton Running Club’s Ben Stone coming a fantastic 3rd place in 41:17. The next Honiton runner back was Jennie Sleeman in 56:41 and 63rd place with the only other runner for the Club being Sharon Wells coming in just under the hour (59:59) and 92nd place. This is always a tough race and as usual there was plenty of slippery mud to be found. Upon their return to headquarters in Otterton, participants were treated to a delicious festive treat of a mince pie and mulled wine. There were 185 finishers. Katelyn Wells was the only Honiton junior who took part in the fun run. She had a great race finishing 3rd female and 10th overall in 16:03. There were an incredible 223 finishers.  

On Sunday four Honiton runners travelled to Ham Hill Country Park at Stoke Sub Hamdon, Somerset to take part in Crewkerne Running Club’s Full Monty Cute race. This is a very challenging 10 ½ mile cross country race which boasts a challenging hill for every mile. Matt Clist of Axe Valley Runners won the race in 1:12:01 with the first back for Honiton being Steve Davey who was pleased to come 56th in 1:36:44. This was about 6 minutes slower than last year which he blamed on the very slippery muddy conditions. Mark Dallyn had a fantastic race to come 67th in 1:39:27 ahead of Bruce Strawbridge who came 77th in 1:41:43. Howard Bidmead is still struggling with his fitness level following injury and he was pleased just to have been able to run it. He finished 136th in1:53:18. There were 240 finishers of this very popular race which always fills its places by October. Runners received a Christmas pudding as they crossed the line. Thanks to the marshals of both races for great support.