Honiton Running Club members were out in force on Sunday, 14th November, taking part in the Drogo 10 based at Castle Drogo.

In this fantastic event, the views are truly spectacular and Castle Drogo itself is looking splendid with all the scaffolding gone, having been fully restored over several years. Located in the village of Drewsteignton and constructed between 1911 and 1930, Castle Drogo is the last castle to be built in England.

The run is almost 10 miles and all off road. Runners are taken up two ascents, including the infamous Hunter’s Path at mile eight. Over the route, there is a total of over 1400 ft of climb.

The race was won by Samuel Kell in 1 hour 1 minute and the first HRC runner back was Pete Nichols coming 63rd in 1:26. Honiton’s first lady, Ceri Oak, was next back coming 72nd in 1:27 with Mark Newson hot on her heels coming in two places and just 14 seconds later.

Judy Davey managed to finish all of three seconds faster than she did when the race was last run two years ago. She came 120th in 1:34. There were some spectacular personal best times with Jennie Sleeman beating hers by seven minutes to come 179th in 1:41.

Clare Melbourne, finishing 184th in 1:42, beat her personal best by an incredible 10 minutes. Richard Harris took a bit of a tumble but did well to pick himself up and, despite not racing much recently due to injury, came 186th in 1:42, just three seconds behind Clare.

This was Jo Buxton’s first race since having her daughter five months ago and she took it easy enjoying the scenery to come 240th in 1:51. Pip Vanham was carrying club mascot, Wiley, and both enjoyed the great scenery. Pip came 315th in 2:10. There were 336 finishers.

Other HRC runners: 102nd Howard Bidmead 1:31, 111th Steve Davey 1:32, 157th Pippa Westall 1:38, 173rd Rachel Hennessey 1:40, 192nd Linda Grady 1:44, 216th Shane Hudd 1:48, 233rd Kate Harding 1:50, 284th Katy Lancaster 2:00, 293rd Kathy Layzell 2:03 and 321st Donna Stone 2:14.