Steve Briggs of Honiton Running Club took part in last week’s Plymouth Half Marathon, writes Judy Davey.

It was an overcast day with fine drizzle at times. A large field of around 4,000 led to quite a congested first mile, however this enabled Steve to go out slow and try and pick up in the second half. He was really pleased with a time of 1 hour 47 which was four minutes quicker than last year. Lesley Crocker also took part and was delighted to finish in under two hours in 1:58.

?Last Saturday evening saw the running of Axe Valley Runners and Umborne Hall Committee’s Umborne Ug which is a tough multi-terrain six-mile race. Honiton runners were led home by Richard Harvey who had an amazing run to finish seventh in 47:24. Much to his delight, he won a bottle of wine for coming first in his age category. Steve Davey was next back in 11th in 49:03 followed by Bruce Strawbridge in 21st in 50:53. Judy Davey led the Honiton ladies back, 39th in 56:26 and followed by John Burgess in 48th in 58:51. Tracey Strawbridge came 71st in 1:13:15 followed one place later by Wendy Williams in 1:13:56. There was a field of 91 runners.

There was also a 2.5k fun run and Honiton juniors produced spectacular results with Iain Ross winning in 11:14 followed by Jake Harvey, second in 12:38. New member Lydia Corr was 25th in 19:19 and mother and daughter Kathy and Ellen Layzell ran together to finish 28th in a time of 20:17.

There were 35 runners.

Following really wet weather earlier in the week, the Ug actually had perfect weather conditions for running and even the barbecue afterwards took place in the dry. Thanks to everyone involved with the organisation, especially Rick and Eleanor Wood and the people who made the delicious cakes!