Taunton Triathlon & Crewkerne 10k

Three members of Honiton Running Club travelled to Taunton last Sunday to take part in the Taunton Triathlon based at Taunton School. The event comprised of 400 metres in the pool, followed by what was supposed to be a 20k bike ride, that at the last minute was changed to 30k! This was followed by a 5k run. Richard Harvey has plenty of experience of triathlons, whilst for Sandra and Nick Thorpe it was their second and first attempts respectively. Not surprisingly Richard led the Honiton contingency home in a combined time of 1.28.54 in 40th place (10th in his age category) Richard was a little disappointed with his swim and like many found the extreme shallowness of the pool difficult to deal with. More of a surprise was that Sandra in only her second triathlon won her age category in a time of 1.49.39 and 136th overall. The fact that she is actually 4 months shy of her next big birthday, seems to have eluded the judges! Sandra was naturally delighted to leave husband Nick in her wake as he finished just over a minute adrift in 1.50.59 in 142nd position and 5th in his age category. Nick has vowed to have revenge next time, even if it means letting her tyres down! The race was won by Aled Jones (no, not that one) in a time of 1.08.50. 173 completed the race.

On the same day two Honiton runners went to Crewkerne to take part in the 10k. This race has an undulating out and back route which includes a loop through Merriott.  Racers run on country lanes through attractive villages and hamlets. Vernon Gillard came in first for Honiton in 37th place in 45 minutes 51 seconds with Esme Moffett coming a respectable 79th place in 51:17. The race was won by Kieran Young in the fantastic time of 35:37 and there were 181 finishers.