Blue skies and a hot cross bun at the end of the race attracted more than 100 runners to the inaugural Kilmington Kanter. Tom Merson of Exmouth Harriers won in 39:07; a scorching time that could be a record for several years. The 2.5-mile Fun Run and Junior Kanter was won by Junior Axe Valley Runner Josh Coates in 17:55.

The seven-mile race started at the Cricket ground then through the village and up a long hill to Shute Woods. At this point Axe Valley Runner, Chris Keeffe was in the lead until a leg strain slowed him down. A fast downhill stretch past Shute House led into a flat section across the valley to Seaton Junction before a demanding climb back to the woods and through Kilmington to the finish.

Luke Reed was second, first AVR and first local runner in 45:11. James Gular came seventh in 46:58 followed by Phil Bayliss ninth and over-50 winner in 47:11. Tom Hilder was 11th, 47:56 in front of his father Mark who finished in 54:05.

Amy Greenhalgh was second lady in 50:09 quickly followed by Tim Sibley, 17th, 50:32. A determined Chris Keeffe was happy to complete the race in 51:31.

Robin Britton and Eleanor Wood battled for a sprint finish with Robin the victor in 51:55 with Eleanor fifth, seconds behind collecting the first lady V50 prize. Geoff Woodward who finished in 53:56 was followed home by Adele Foxwell, first V35 lady taking 55:24. Clare Hansford, 55:37 sprinted in to finish just one second in front of Ian Clements, with Chris Irving not far behind in 57:10.

A stream of AVR runners continued with Andy Sayers, 61:16, Heather Riggs, 63:05 and Anna McLoughlin, 64:36. Dave and Lisa Braunton enjoyed the race together finishing in 70:14. Next came Emma Ellynn, 73:10, Bridget Keeffe, 73:26, Janet Cullum, 74:43, with Diane Newton and Anna Murphy in a joint time of 79:55, then Sam Studley in 86.28. Harry Moore won a prize for the oldest competitor in a time of 118:12.

The first adult home in the combined Fun Run and Junior Kanter was AVR’s Rick Wood in a time of 22:06. Thanks go to Race Director Malcolm MacDonald and to the all sponsors.

?James Chaney was the winner of the senior April handicap in a new PB of 32.34mins. Janette Mack was second, 3.44; Chris Driver third, 24.25; Ian Clements fourth, 24.37 and Fiona Powell fifth, 27.59.

All the first five broke their PBs.