Honiton Running Club organised a duathlon (2.3 mile run, 10 mile cycle, 2.3 mile run) to raise money for Children in Need. It was based at the new Payhembury Village Hall which proved to be a good venue, writes Judy Davey.

There were 17 “official” teams mainly individuals, but also some families joined in with children participating in one or two of the legs.

The winner was Richard Harvey in a time of 1hr 8mins 52secs followed closely by Mark Stamp. Helen Davy was the first lady in a very respectable time of 1hr 11mins 53secs. Tim Legg was the fastest on both running legs and Mark was the fastest on the bike leg. Other Honiton participants were the team of Fiona Prew (biker) and Graham Rooms (runner) who came third, Warren Oak came eighth, Nick and Sandra Thorpe came 11th and 12th respectively. The event raised �225 for Children in Need which exceeded all expectations.

?South West Road Runners’ Castle Drogo 10 mile off-road race is very popular and on Sunday, 11 Honiton runners decided to take part. Runners start and finish outside the Castle and are treated to steep and narrow descents before having to tackle the first long uphill at about three miles.

The race then becomes undulating although very muddy before a flat section following the River Teign for about 2 miles. Then comes the infamous Hunters’ Path which usually finishes off the most seasoned runner although spectacular views make up for all the pain. Bruce Strawbridge had a brilliant run to finish 48th in 1 hour 15. He was surprised to have beaten Ian Stewart who was next back for Honiton in 60th place in 1:16.

Richard Harris was next back but Steve Davey was hot on his heels although Steve didn’t see him until the finish. Richard was 92nd in 1:21 with Steve just 3 places and 5 seconds later. There was then a big gap before Steve’s wife Judy finished in 172n place in 1:29 having overtaken Howard Bidmead on Hunters’ Path. Howard is still nursing an injury and his race suffered because of it. He was 175th also in 1:29. Pippa Westall had a strong race coming 226th in 1:35. Olivia Higginson beat Nick Bradley-Carter in their last race but even though Nick had a fall, this didn’t stop him coming in ahead of Olivia. Olivia didn’t escape injury either as she was stung by a bee within the first mile. Nick was 275th in 1:40 and Olivia 295th in 1:42. Claire Melbourne was tackling this race for the 1st time and was happy to come 407th in 1:54 and Tracey Strawbridge, who was trying out her new shoes, was pleased with their performance as she managed 426th place in 1:56. There were 495 runners altogether. Thanks to Axe Valley Runners for allowing seven of the Honiton runners to hitch a lift on their bus and for throwing in some great entertainment en route!

AXE VALLEY - What a cracking morning out! That was the view of all 495 competitors who ran in the Drogo 10 mile run on Sunday, writes Dave Mutter.

With the warm, sunny, weather Dartmoor was in its best autumn raiment, with challenges aplenty, with mountainous hills and special Dartmoor mud. Quite how winner Ceri Rees ran it in 1:01:22, just over six minute mile pace, is awe-inspiring to us mortal runners.

Having overtaken an injured Alex Todd on the final ascent, young Robbie Holt was the first AVR home, 14th overall in 1:10:01, with Alex 16th only nine seconds adrift. Chris Keeffe ran well to be 43rd, 1:14:36, with Dominic Schneiders, who ran away from Robin Britton after the wall climb 84th, 1:20:39. Robin was 89th and 2nd male over 60 in 1:21:22.

Nathan Berry was 102nd, 1:22:26 and Graham Newton, 120th, 1:24:25. Tim Sibley 123rd, 14 seconds behind Graham. Eleanor Wood, 2nd lady over 50, 133rd in 1:25:18. Dave Thomas 148th in 1:26:21. Mark Hilder 170th in 1:28:53 with Ian Apps 180th, 1:30:08. Steve Reynolds, 204th, 1:32:42. Wayne Tooz, 245th in 1:37:02, Mike Giles 258th, 1:38:51. Pete Hughes 272nd 1:40:03, Dave Mutter, who turned up with one road and one off road shoe, was 283rd, 1:41:10. Andy Hitchcock was left floundering at the start and so had a long wait at the river crossing.

He did well to complete in 1:43:52, 312th. Anna McLoughlin was pleased with her 399th spot in 1:53:10 as was Susie Pitt finishing 418th, 1:55:07. During the run the AVR WAGs enjoyed Castle Drogo’s finest coffee before Marilyn Hughes and Diane Newton acted as results takers. Many thanks girls. Thanks to SWRR for once again putting on a superb event and to Eleanor Wood for organising the charabanc.