Cakes and bacon rolls help to spur on competitors in the annual race at Axminster’s community college

Midweek Herald: Members of the PTFA served cakes and bacon rollsMembers of the PTFA served cakes and bacon rolls (Image: Archant)

With cakes and bacon butties waiting at the finish, runners had plenty of incentive to complete the second Minster Challenge in record time.

The annual event is paganised by Axe Valley Community College to raise funds for its PE department – and the total has now topped £1,300.

The main run - a gruelling multi-terrain race of some seven miles - was won by Julian Ridgley, from Taunton Running Club, in a time of 51m 14s. The first lady, Amy Greenhaugh a member of staff at the college, arrived not far behind in a time of 56.24.

The second race, a fun run of approximately three miles, was won by Ollie Caute in 20.25, knocking three minutes and nine seconds off last year’s winning time. First lady to finish was Tasmin Edge in 21.18 – shaving two minutes and 16 seconds off her winning time of last year.

First male in the 14-16 category was Bobby Simpson in 20.32 and first female in this age group was Hanna Bramely in 24.13.

Competition between college staff spurred them all to achieve personal bests.

They were Headteacher Martin Smith 1:06:32, Jon Scott 59:03, Tony Davies 1:00:34, John Mythen 1:17:35. Dave Owen completed his debut challenge in 1:20:02.

New this year, by popular request, was a mini run for the under 11s which took place on the school field. The winner was Sharna Edge.

Spectators enjoyed performances from the Karizma Majorettes and the school’s Steel Band, while cakes and bacon rolls were served by the college’s PFTA.

Race organisers Sara Feldman and Diane Roberts thanked everybody who took part and for all the help provided to make it such a fantastic event, particularly Axe Valley Runners for their time and energy.

One runner summed it up by saying: “Perfect race, perfect weather and cakes at the end.”