AVRs Lascelles is first lady at Charmouth Challenge race

The Charmouth Challenge is an 8-mile fell race that offers a number of tortuous climbs on a route which summits Golden Cap before returning to Charmouth and is punctuated by brief interludes of flat allowing appreciation of some stunning scenery before plummeting down again, writes Dave Mutter.

Liam Roberts was the first AVR finisher in 54:09 taking second place having been denied the win thanks to a storming run by Ceri Rees, winner of the 2012 Grizzly, which saw him finish in 51:56.

Lin Lascelles was the first lady finisher and the first over 40 lady, 21st overall in 1:02:38; a fantastic run. Phil Bayliss was the next AVR home, 45th in 1:08:23 and the first over 60 - unfortunately there were no awards for this category.

John Blackledge continued his return from injury with 55th place in 1:10:19. Robin Britton saw off a number of runners who were close on his heels to take 57th spot in 1:10:46 before Eleanor Wood came in at 1:11:18 for 63rd place and first female over 50. Amy Greenhalgh was 87th (1:15:18), Clare Hansford 110th (1:17:10), John Larcombe 119th (1:18:07), Steve Reynolds 136th (1:20:55), Sarah Vincent 163rd (1:25:17), Margaret Pearce 172nd (1:26:45), Richard Hale 173rd (1:26:52), Anna McLoughlin 181st (1:27:47) and Alan Morbey 192nd (1:29:57).

Bobby Simpson was the first AVR home in the associated mini challenge, fifth overall in 22:48.

William Blackledge was seventh 23:38 and Stephen Morbey 15th, 27:22. After the blistering heat of the race, many runners enjoyed a cool down courtesy of the fire brigade.