There are some races that leave you wondering why on earth you did them and there are others that you wish could last forever. The Yarcombe Yomp is definitely in the latter category. A fantastic 10-mile two-lap real cross-country event with mud a plenty,

There are some races that leave you wondering why on earth you did them and there are others that you wish could last forever.

The Yarcombe Yomp is definitely in the latter category. A fantastic 10-mile two-lap real cross-country event with mud a plenty, boggy woodland paths, impossibly steep trails and stupendously slippery descents.

If that was not enough, there was the added excitementt of having shotguns blasting away near the course. You had to keep moving or you may have had blasted buckshot up your backside.

How on earth did the winner, James Bellwards, of South West Road Runners, manage to get around in 1:09:17?

James Jackson of Dartmoor Runners was 2nd in 1:12:13 and Bournemouth AC's Tony Chutter 3rd in 1:15:53.

AVR's best result of the day came from Amy Greenhalgh, who won the ladies' event, 9th overall in 1:24:15. Bernard Fry also had a terrific run; he was 1st over 50, 6th overall in 1:17:33.

Eleanor Wood had her usual sublime performance; she won the ladies' over 50 race, 13th overall in 1:27:43. Steve Reynolds was poodling along quite nicely, when, on the first lap's steepest ascent, he was suddenly joined by Andy Sayers, who stuck with him like super glue for one whole lap.

Steve managed to unstick Andy on the same ascent and then stretched away finishing 22nd in 1:32:57, with Andy 23rd, 1:33:49. Geoff Woodward had an uneventful type of race, finishing 25th in 1:37:14. Peter Hughes and Dave Mutter had a good old battle.

Pete pulled away on the early, flattish section, only to be overtaken by Dave the grinder on the first major ascent.

Dave held his lead until the end of the first lap when Pete galloped past on the flat and pulled out a 400 meter lead, which promptly vanished on the last uphill. They were together at the start of the final descent, but then Pete, the cunning Silver Fox, knew Dave had a weak ankle and was able to make his escape on the stony tracked descent.

Pete was 30th, 1:39:38 and Dave 31st, 1:40:44.

The associated one lap 5-mile event was won by young Bradley King in 41:59.

In a rare outing, Rick Wood was 2nd in 51:54. Harry Moore did not much enjoy the conditions, but he still ran well to finish 5th in 1:29:11.

Apart from the superb course, what made this event so good was the post race "supper", a choice of six piping hot homemade soups accompanied by large fresh baked rolls, then loads of home cooked cakes, all washed down with a cup of tea or coffee. Brilliant.

Many thanks to Robin Carter and her helpers for organising this not to be missed race in the sun plus, of course, the local landowners for permission to run over their land.

l After a somewhat slow 10K at Ilminster on Sunday, Steve Reynolds added a turbo booster to his running shoes and powered around the November 3.5 mile handicap run on Monday evening, winning in 26:47. Anna McLoughlin was 2nd in 30:33, with Bernard Fry, who stormed up the home straight like a demented gazelle 3rd in 22:38. Jonathan Day was 4th, 22:29 and Mark Hilder 5th, 24:53.

By Dave Mutter

Ax Valley Runners