Honiton Running Club’s inaugural Cotleigh Canter races were held at the weekend, writes Janet Davey.

Firstly, there was the 5k race over a fairly fast route with one reasonable hill. This was won by 14 year old Grey Grierson of Sidmouth Running Club in a time of 19 minutes 43 seconds. Lucy Owen, also of Sidmouth, was second overall and 1st lady. She was followed in third and fourth place by Honiton’s Henry Riddle in 20:42 with, new-to-the-club Jack Elsom, in the astonishing time for an 11 year old of 21:04. Sam Urquhart seemed to suffer throughout the race but managed sixth place in 23:02.

Morgan Davy was surprised and delighted to find herself winning a trophy as second lady in 11th place overall in a time of 28:15 with Samantha Shute also of Honiton coming third lady in 30:05.

Alan Rowe MBE was accompanying Louise Jackson who was carrying the baton. They finished in 30:15 in 13th place. Jake Harvey finished in eighth place in 25:12. Pat Croucher thought the atmosphere of the race was great with slower runners getting the chance to run with faster 10k runners. She finished 15th in 31:48. There were 19 finishers.

?The two-lap 10k attracted 64 entrants. Axe Valley member Alex Todd won in 35:39, having enjoyed the course. First back for Honiton was Ian Stewart who was fourth overall in 39:41. Vernon Gillard was eighth in 42:52 with Graham Reeves two places behind in 44:04. Wayne Spiller was pleased to finish the course without injury coming 30th in 54:20. After a really good battle on the line, Lin Pike was 33rd in 55:03. Carol Turner narrowly slipped back a place as she also had a good tussle on the line. She was 51st in 60:23. There were 59 finishers.

?The 3k Fun Run was open to all. Clyst Hydon Primary School won the Alan Rowe Cup and the race was won by Flurry Grierson in 13:20. First home for Honiton and first girl was Sasha Davy who had a brilliant race coming fourth overall in 13:43. Ed Cannings also had a great race even though he was recovering from chicken pox. He came 11th in 15:30. Hannah Land finished 13th place in 15:42. Jessica Copp 35th in 18:08. Ella Harvey also did well to finish just after her coming 37th in 18:14. The fun run was extremely well supported with 55 finishers listed.

Thanks to the residents of Cotleigh for putting up with more crowds in the village than they have seen for a while and to Mr Retter for the loan of his field for parking and all other supporters of the event. Hopefully the success of this event will ensure its place on next year’s running calendar. Money raised will go to local charities.

Flying Honiton’s flag in Cornwall were Kevin Hawker, Heather Foundling-Hawker and Julie Payne. The Eden Marathon Multi Terrain Race started and finished at the Eden Project in St Austell. The course does a 13 mile loop for the marathon and then goes out on another loop after passing through the Eden Project taking in the half marathon loop for the next 13 miles. The first half is 80% off road on tracks and running through the clay pits and is relentless with hill after hill. The second half has just a few less hills but still far too many for another 13 miles of running. Kevin Hawker came in 5th man in 2:57 after going through half way in 1:27. Although suffering a touch of cramp at 19 miles, he got it back together and was pleased with his time. Kevin is now guaranteed automatic entry to London Marathon for another two years. The people who came 4th & 5th both ran sub 2:40 at London this year proving what a tough course it was. Heather Founding-Hawker came home 3rd Lady in 3:24. Heather tired at 18 miles which is understandable after running 90 miles 2 weeks ago at the Commonwealth Games. Heather won 2 bottles of wine for 3rd Lady and first vet 45. Julie took part in the half marathon and was delighted to knock 7 minutes off last year’s time to finish in 1 hour 40 minutes. An added bonus was that she also won her category taking home a bottle of wine.