Athletes from Axe Valley Runners and Honiton Running club are out and about

In a rare appearance at the AVR handicap, Garry Perratt swept aside the rest and stormed to a win in 20:11, closely followed by Chris Irving, 24:17. Dave Mutter thought he was in with a chance, but was overtaken just 100 yards from the finish and was third in 27:39. Geoff Woodward is usually spotted on a marathon course, but ended up fourth in 24:55, with Paul Tolchard fifth, 28:13. Chris Irving easily leads the handicap table with 93 points, followed by Alison Gould and Clare Hansford both with 77.

l Matthew Morbey was the junior handicap winner in 12:35. Liam McLean was second, 16:55; Jessie Davies third, 17:21; Lydia Clapp fourth, 14:37, and Rosie Hawkins fifth, 16:30. It’s very tight at the top of the junior handicap table with James Sibley on 112, Mollie Hansford 111 and Matthew Morbey 103.

l Marianne Sweetland completed the 10K Feniton Frolic in 1:03hrs.

l On a humid Saturday the Otter Valley Rail and River run attracted a total of 116 runners. First home was John MacFarlane of Thames Hare & Hounds, who also happens to have won the Grizzly for the last two years, in an amazing time of 37:07. First AVR home in 44:56 was Phil Bayliss, who won the Male vet 45 trophy in the shape of a full bottle of Otter Bright. The first lady home was our very own Eleanor Wood who used Phil as a pacemaker throughout the race, storming home in 45:09; she was also the first female Vet 50.

The ever- improving and ever- cheerful Jane Calvert was next home in an impressive 52:02. Two new AVR runners, Chantelle Osborne and Ali Chapman were very pleased to have completed their 10k in 1:11:20 coming in joint 105th.

Harry Moore, who won the Male Vet over 70 prize, completed in 1: 39:00. Well done to the organisers for putting on a most enjoyable race.

l Three AVRs had a great day at the Wellington 10; a 10k or a 10 mile race. All three chose the 10k race, as they were chasing PB’s and all three were very successful. Alex Todd led the AVR gang home, 6th in 37:58, although he should have been higher as a marshal misrouted him. Jon Day was in 12th place in 40:34. Gavin Warren finished 92nd in 53:54.

The Forde Abbey 10k, in the beautiful grounds of this former medieval monastery, saw a smaller field of runners this year but those who took part enjoyed the scenery of this undulating route which also offers two river crossings, one of which you enter by sliding in on your backside and exit up a steep bank with the aid of a rope and a strategically placed hand of a strong marshal.

Ed Stahl won the race in a time of 39:51 with Lucy Owen coming 1st lady. Steve Davey was 1st in for Honiton in 39th place in 46:08. Marie Wadey came 70th in 51:11 and Simon Hall 88th in 53:13. In 99th place was Sarah Warren in 55:41 and Claire Pomeroy 116th in 57:54. Vanessa Glyn-Jones came 157th in 67:21. There were 174 runners. The event raised over �1,000 for local charities.

? Steve Boyes ran the last Tanners 30, the 50th, at Leatherhead which consisted of 30 miles off-road through beautiful Surrey countryside. He was pleased to have only got lost twice which turned his mileage into 32 but he still managed to finish in 6 hours 13 mins.

? HONITON RUNNING CLUB - The Tipton St John Playing Field Association, in conjunction with the Women’s Running Network, held the Otter Valley Rail and River 10k Run on Saturday. This is a very pleasant figure of eight course taking in the old railway line and lengthy sections beside the River Otter.

Honiton runners were well represented with Tim Legg third in 40:45 in his first running of this race. Ceri Oak, having overtaken Steve Davey earlier in the race, was pipped to the post. Steve 16th in 45:35, Ceri coming one place and one second later. Ceri was third lady. Guy Paddon was 23rd in 46:36. John Burgess managed to beat Judy Davey overtaking her at the 9k marker. He was 28th in 48:15 with Judy 35th in 48:52. Nick Bradley-Carter has been a frequent racer this year and came 48th in 51:19. Warren Oak found the heat got to him but came 58th in 53:18. Anne Ephraums was 89th in 1:01:07. Olivia Higginson was stung by a bee and did well to finish 96th in 1:03:49. Vanessa Glyn-Jones was 98th in 1:04:17. There were about 115 runners.

l There was also a 2� mile fun run for the juniors and Harry Whiteley and Katie Davey took part.