Honiton’s own Blackdown Beauty took place last Saturday with a record number of runners taking part. There was also a record amount of mud varying in quantity and variety of odour, writes Judy Davey.

The main choice of routes was either 18 miles or 10 miles with runners able to pick which points they ran enabling them to run a different distance.

The base was at Priors Park Farm, Culmhead courtesy of Jim Hill and family. The long route took in four pubs as well as a cream tea taking runners to Pitminster and then on to Clayhidon before a visit to Pear Tree Cottage, Stapley for the delicious cream tea, appreciated by all. Thank you to the Parry family for the use of their gorgeous garden and all the ladies for making the scones and serving welcome cups of tea.

Once fed and watered, runners went on to Churchinford before running back to base. Runners were invited to dress in red, white and blue in a patriotic style and some participants went all out with some great costumes.

Thanks to everyone who helped in any way as well as all the landowners. Special thanks must go to John Burgess who has given up many hours of his time organising the event in so many ways including creating the booklet, tirelessly investigating possible routes, visiting landowners and publicans as well as coordinating everyone else involved. Also thanks to Jim Hill for giving up part of his farm for the day by providing the ideal base for the run including an undercover barbecue area for those inevitable showers.

Last weekend Vernon Gillard and Olivia Higginson of Honiton Running Club completed the Wellington 10 mile race. Vernon finished in 1 hour 15 minutes 13 seconds and Olivia 1:26:55. Nick Bradley-Carter tackled the 10k version finishing in 50:39. They managed to pick one of the few very hot days of the summer and with the course being extremely hilly, they found the going tough.

Honiton Juniors produced another set of spectacular results taking the first 3 positions in the 5K race. This was the same route as the 10k but didn’t include the Morganhayes Woods loop. Henry Riddle was 1st in 22:57, Iain Ross 2nd in 24:07 and Jack Elsom 3rd in 25:34. The only Honiton junior girl was Anna Lamb who did very well to come 18th in 32:31. Two Honiton adults also took part. Liz Corney and Maggie Dylan are not regular racers so it was great to see them tackling the demanding race. Liz was 27th in 40:23 and Maggie was 29th in 40:54. There were 43 runners.