Sunday saw the running of Honiton Running Club’s Hippo and Calf races. The base is at Honiton Primary School.

The Hippo is a tough multi-terrain race of just over seven miles with plenty of mud and water to contend with, not to mention the significantly challenging hills!

The race was won by George Pemberton who was too young to collect the alcoholic cider prize at the finish. He was given a non-alcoholic version and a handsome trophy instead! He finished in 52 minutes 37 seconds. His dad, Richard, came 2nd in 53:38 and Mike Lesniak was 3rd in 54:22.

The first lady back was Amy Jones who came 8th overall in 59:52, 2nd lady was Carla Tunicliffe who was 13th overall in 1:02:45 and 3rd back was Harriet Munday who was 22nd and finished in 1:06:50.

Joseph Dean was the first runner back for HRC in 14th place in 1:03 and Emma Davey was the first HRC lady back coming 52nd in 1:17.

Other Honiton runners were: 41st Mark Newson 1:12, 76th Darren Boswell-Gallagher 1:22, 83rd Claire Staniforth 1:23, 88th Rosie Geale 1:25, 92nd Steve George 1:28, 101st Sarah Yates 1:33, 108th Sarah Ryerson 1:36, 120th Jenny Rawlins 1:39, 132nd Janice Newson 1:44, 142nd Tina Duckitt, Donna Stone, Helen Williams and Victoria Henwood altogether in 1:53, 148th Angela Foster and Katy Lancaster together in 1:59.

The Calf is mainly for youngsters but there were some impressive runs. This is about 1 ¾ miles in length and takes the runners down Clapper Lane, around Combe Woods and back up Clapper Lane to the finish at the Primary School.

Oscar Purchase won the race in in 11 minutes 4 seconds and 2nd was George Hair in 13:26. The 3rd male was Yossi Maclure who came 4th overall in 13:50. First female was Isla Mayne who came 3rd overall in 13:38. Imogen Clarke was the 2nd female coming 12th overall in 15:42 and 3rd female was Lottie Barratt who finished 15th overall in 15:57. There were 25 finishers.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the event such a success but especially the Race Director, Howard Bidmead, for all his hard work in ensuring everything went smoothly. Thanks also to the sponsors and the land owners for allowing runners to trample their land!