The Axmouth Challenge is one of ten races making up the InStep Devon Championship series for 2014.

This multi-terrain race that takes place on Sunday, January 19, is a collaboration between Axe Valley Runners and Axmouth Village Hall Management Committee and sits alongside other championship events across Exeter, East Devon and Mid Devon.

Race director Garry Perratt says “We’re delighted that our great little race has been chosen for the InStep Championship and we look forward to having a good field of runners from across the area.”

There are 10 events in the Championship, starting with the aptly-named First Chance 10k in Exeter on January 5.

There will be a mix of road, multi-terrain, track and trail events through the year, with distances from 3,000m up to a Half Marathon.

The full list of events in the championship is: First Chance 10k, Exeter, January 5; The

Axmouth Challenge, 10-miles, Janaury 19; Fulfords Five, Exmouth, 5-mile road race, February 2; Bampton to Tiverton, 7-mile race, Monday, April 21; The Crediton Crunch, 10k, on a date to be confirmed in May; The Run Exe Summer 5k series, 5km, in June; Haldon Forest Flyer, 5-mile mutli-terrain race in August; The Cotleigh Canter, 10k road race on September 21; Exeter Open Meet, a 3000m race on the track at Exeter in September and the Great West Run Half Marathon which takes place on a date to be confirmed in October.

Championship coordinator Ellie Sutcliffe says: “‘I am really excited about the new InStep Devon Championship. Devon is currently lacking a major race series and it has been good to work with all the InStep member clubs to put together a comprehensive championship composed of 10 very different races, so the series appeals to a broad range of running tastes. I know I won’t be the only local runner keeping a keen eye on the leader-board throughout the year.’

InStep chairman Tony Gale says: “Having an inter-club championship like this adds a new dimension to the local running scene. Rather than simply looking at their performance in individual events, runners will be able to see how they rank against other local athletes across a whole season. That should add spice to the competition. And this isn’t just about the first few runners to cross the finish line. We will also be covering age-group categories for both male and female competitors.”