The 24th BBC Children in Need races - the five mile Colyton Fiver and two and a half mile Fun Run were held on Sunday and, so far, have raised over �2,000 for the charity, with more still to come. Nearly �300 of the total came from the sale of refreshments, including the many donated sumptuous cakes.

The Fiver 5 mile race was won by Exeter Harriers’ Ashley Humphreys in 26:52, with Pete Monaghan, TorbayAAC second, 27:17 and old AVR Paul Holley, proving he still has it at his age third, 27:25.

Liam Roberts was the first AVR home, fourth overall in 27:36. Alex Todd was suffering from ‘man flu’ so did not push it, but still finished seventh, 29:12, pushed all the way by Luke Reed eighth 30:04.

Other high finishers were John Blackledge 12th, 30:51; Phil Bayliss 14th 31:27; Dominic Schneiders 19th, 32:54; Tim Sibley 41st, 36:52; Ellis Bee 42nd, 37:09; Pete Hughes 49th, 38:13 and Clare Hansford 52nd, 38:58. Gavin Warren was next AVR, 56th, 39:23 then Alison Bowskill 60th, 39:50, only three seconds ahead of Wayne Tooze who was in his first race.

Joe Pitt was 65th, 40:17; Mike Calvert 72nd, 40:27; Rick Wood 73rd, 40:35; Jane Calvert 77th, 41:20 and Samantha Tooze 79th, 41:32. James was the second of the Sibley clan to finish, 96th in 44:08, Rhea Shave, back running again, was 100th, 45:21.

Absolute beginners’ coach Gill Day was dead chuffed to produce a new PB of 50:22 finishing 122nd. There were several new AVR members racing for the first time, Emma Chaplin ran most of the way with Clare Moles, but pulled away at the end. Emma was 125th, 51:53 and Clare 126th, 52:06. Another new racer, Jackie Rooke ran well to finish 130th, 54:09. Bethany Sibley, the third of the clan, struggled with a fast pace in the first lap, but recovered to be 132nd, 54:39. Congratulations to Maggie Luff who was 134th, 55:13, it was the furthest she has even run. Debbie Payne was 135th, 56:28 and Kelly Sandford-Smith 137th, 56:58.

? AVR Junior Matt Morbey won the Fun Run in 16:10, with Cameron Souter-Frost second, 16:15 and Colyton FC’s James Morbey third, 16:41.

Young William Blackledge had a super run finishing sixth, 17:27, with Mollie Hansford not far adrift, second female, ninth overall in 17:50. Lydia Clapp ran well to finish 18th, 18:27 and Alex McLoughlin was 25th, 20:09. Max Bowskill was 36th, 22:24. Several mums and dads ran with their children including Jon Day who ran with son Ethan and were elated to produce a new PB of 18:06 in 14th spot.

Nancy McLoughlin, 54th, 23:55 ran with Anna McLoughlin, 55th, 23:59 and Dominic Pritasilova 57th, 24:11 with Klara Pritasilova 58th, 24:15. Eleanor Sheridan was 60th, 24:22 and Lee Bryant 80th 28:20. Josh d’Albertanson, 81st, 28:25 ran with mum Kay d’Albertanson 82nd, 28:27. Caitlin Bee was 83rd, 29:04 and Mia Campbell 84th, 29:16. There were over 100 finishers in the fun run.

?Congratulations to all who ran, especially the first timers and, of course, many thanks to all who made the race possible including race director Paul Morgan and wife Ann who worked tirelessly for months. Then there is Saucony, the shoe manufacturer and main race sponsor, plus of course the many Colyton traders who donated prizes. Thanks also to Colyton scouts who marshalled so well.

Last Saturday Night at Beer Social Club there was a coming together of three great Sporting Clubs from Seaton; Axe Valley Runners, Axe Valley Peddlers and Axe Vale Canoe Club in a quiz with mixed teams. It’s hoped the quiz was the first of many social events, bringing members together. The evening was a great success, with over 50 members attending who brought with them loads of lavish food. Dave Mutter tried his hand at being quiz master with what appeared to be great success. Team Mixed Bag were the winners with 77 points, followed by Pumpers with 73 and Al’s Tash 67. During the evening Eleanor Wood organised a “heads or tails” competition which, thanks to the winner donating his prize, raised �40 for Children In Need.