The weather was perfect for last week’s Exe to Axe race, 21 miles from Exmouth to Seaton along the coast path, which made for a magnificent run, writes Gary Perratt.

Patrick Devine-Wright continued his fine performances of late and led the AVRs home, finishing thirs in 2:57.

Lin Lascelles was first lady, 12th overall in 3:17.

Post race she said: “I’m pretty excited that I beat Martin (Lascelles) by 16 minutes”. James Trewick was 18th, 3:25, his longest race yet. He said: “I ran with Amy (Greenhalgh) until the climb out of Ladram Bay when she forged ahead.Unfortunately for Amy, her early exuberance came back to bite her going up the steps out of Branscombe, where I found her stopped and in need of a new pair of legs, and I managed to hold her off to the finish.”

In her defence, Amy had planned to only do half of the route as a relay due to a (relative) lack of fitness, but her partner (Garry) bailed on her and she had been ‘encouraged’ by Patrick to do the whole lot, finishing 21st in 3:26

The aforementioned Martin Lascelles was 25th in 3:33, Eleanor Wood 45th in 3:50, Welsh Paul 54th in 3:56, Steven Lewis 75th in 4:08 and John Larcombe 137th in 4:28.

Garry Perratt and Matt Clist were the last AVRs for once, having decided to do the double. Unfortunately, Garry forgot about the clocks changing and was still in his pyjamas when Matt rang to ask where he was!

They left Seaton half an hour later than planned which put a bit of pressure on and legged it to Exmouth in 3:30, arriving a couple of minutes after the race had begun. After five minutes to refuel, they set off back home, taking it more steadily but enjoying the change from their normal race pace. Unfortunately, cramp reduced Garry to a slow walk after climbing out of Branscombe Mouth and the pair finally finished 160th in 5:31. Roll on next year!