Eight AVR members travelled to Dunkeswell to take part in the 2018 Blackdown Beast, a self-navigating social run, writes Dave Mutter.

The route takes in a circular 16-mile course across the more remote parts of the Blackdowns with three stops at Smeatharpe (where most welcome pasties and mulled cider were to be had) then on to Upottery and Luppitt, before returning back to Dunkeswell.

The weather was pretty inclement throughout – rain, drizzle, fog and wind - but that did not dampen enthusiasm among the 200 entrants.

With much of the route off-road, the memory that most will take from this year’s run was mud – plenty of it – ankle deep in places!

Steve Lewis, Marg Pearce, Gillian Peach, Alan Morbey, Chris and Yvette Hill ran together, finishing in a time of 3:22, while Tim and Amie Sibley were home in 4:24.

Many thanks must go to Roger Saunders and Honiton Running Club for organising such a superb event as well as the landowners for allowing us to run across private land.

All proceeds from the run are donated to the Macmillan Cancer Support.