Olivia Killen from Honiton Running Club has successfully completed her 50th half-marathon, the Running Events’ Devon November Challenge based in Exmouth.

It has taken Olivia longer than she had initially hoped to complete her personal challenge as there were no events during the various lockdowns but still an amazing achievement.

Honiton Running Club was out in force taking part in Exmouth Harriers’ Bicton Blister. This is a multi-terrain run of just over 10 miles with the base at Bicton College. The run goes mainly over Woodbury Common, although starts and ends with a mile of road. It was a perfect day for running with conditions very dry if a little chilly.

John Bennett and Marcus Durrant finished together, coming 57th in 1:21:13, having stopped to help a runner who was knocked over by a dog. Howard Bidmead was next back, coming 99th in 1:27:43. Mark Dallyn has been injured and this was his first race for some time and by far the longest run he has done for a while. He came 127th in 1:30:25.

Jo Buxton was the first HRC lady back having knocked about 20 minutes off the Castle Drogo race just two weeks’ ago and of a very similar length. She came 144th overall in 1:32:04. Jo had run the entire race with Rebecca Stevens, swapping places many times. Rebecca came 147th in 1:32:18. Jo and Rebecca had overtaken Judy Davey during the latter stages and Judy followed Rebecca just two places and 13 seconds later. The race was won by Robert Ellis in 1 hour 1 minute and there were 387 finishers.

Other HRC Blister finishers: 108th Steve Davey 1:28:18, 178th Tim Wigram 1:35:59, 183rd Pippa Westall 1:36:45, 193rd Rachel Hennessey 1:37:04, 200th Roger Saunders 1:37:50, 205th Richard 1:38:31, 209th Jennie Sleeman 1:38:51, 230th Linda Grady 1:41: 23, 244th Shane Hudd 1:42:47 and 317th Katy Lancaster 1:55:41.

Pip Vanham wasn’t feeling very well and decided to take the Bicton Lite option, which is a similar shorter option of about five miles in length. Pip came 75th in 59:36. The Lite was won by Adam Buckley in 32:21 and there were 92 finishers.

Midweek Herald: Honiton runners at the Bicton BlisterHoniton runners at the Bicton Blister (Image: HRC)