Four AVRs turned out for Saturday’s Otterton Reindeer Run, a multi terrain 10K with a good testing course. It was a fairly wet day - but improved by the prospect of mulled wine and mince pies afterwards, writes Dave Mutter.

Laurence Bolam of Sidmouth won comfortably in 37:04. Robin Britton had a good run finishing 22nd in 44:39. Robin Carter was next, 37th in 46:49, with a weary Paul Johns 39th in 47:50. Andy Sayers made it home in 82nd, 54:42, still in the top half of the field of running reindeer and Santas etc. A jolly good run to get you set for the Yuletide season.

?Other runners enjoyed the delights of the well established Full Monty-Cute 10 mile cross country race on Sunday. This starts and finishes at the top of Ham Hill, with the added bonus of 10 hills en route. Garry Perratt has taken to become many races’ course checker and this is what he did here, running the route ensuring all was marked well for the competitors. However his quick change at the end seemed to put a few runners off their stride. Alex Todd was the first AVR home, a magnificent sixth overall out of 237 in 1:18:44. Graham Newton had a brilliant end of year run finishing 46th in 1:31:32 and winning the first vet 60 category.

Eleanor Wood was pleased to get a PB of 1:35:47, 5th lady home, 68th overall and winning the first vet 45 trophy. They had an enjoyable journey home drinking their champagne prizes, admiring their beautiful Ham stone trophies and eating Graham's spot prize chocolates.

Richard Dodge was 106th, 1:42:19. Gavin Warren had a much better run than last week’s Bicton Blister and was chuffed with his performance, 193rd in 1:58:24.

Despite a great Christmas party on Saturday evening, Gill and Jon Day ran together as a husband and wife team finishing in 2:20:49, joint 230th.

All who ran give a big thank you Crewkerne RC for a great event.

HONITON - To recover from the excesses of the Honiton Running Club Christmas meal the night before, several club members woke up and decided to head for Otterton in the rain to tackle the muddy 10K Reindeer Run, writes Judy Davey.

Luckily, as Roger the weatherman turned up, they knew the weather was going to improve and it did though there was a very slippery muddy stretch on this run. Richard Harris turned up sporting a huge pair of golden antlers complete with jingling bells and was the first Honiton runner home in 33rd place in a time of 45:58. Roger Saunders finished in a time of 49:17 closely followed by Pippa Westall in 49:42 who almost caught him. John Burgess made a great effort to come home in 51:31 almost a minute ahead of Nick Bradley Carter in 52:23.

Olivia Higginson sporting a lovely pair of fairy wings to assist her finished in 56:44. Finally Sarah Walker, who is back running again, got tangled up with a Christmas tree and fairy but recovered and came in at 1:06:16. Mulled wine eased the tired legs at the finish. The race was won by Laurence Bollam of Sidmouth RC in 31:04 and there were 177 finishers.

The 3K fun run had an impressive 134 mostly junior runners, the sole Honiton runner was Rowan Westall who came in a very good fourth in 14:41. Thanks to Sidmouth Running Club for putting on the events.

? It was another beautifully unseasonal mild morning for the Bicton Blister and Bicton Lite races. The Blister is a 10 mile multi-terrain race with the start and finish being road sections with the remainder of the race being on sandy, stony and muddy paths across Woodbury Common. It’s getting to be a habit but first home for Honiton once again was Bruce Strawbridge who came 52nd in 1 hour 17 minutes and 53 seconds. He was followed by Richard Harvey who had only just overtaken Steve Davey. Richard was 66th in 1:19:57 and Steve 67th five seconds later. Richard Harris wasn’t feeling fully fit but was pleased with his result of 79th place in 1:21:34.

Next home was Honiton’s first lady, Julie Payne, who was delighted to have beaten her time of last year to come 124th in 1:25:34. She was followed by Roger Saunders who came 153rd in 1:27:41 and then came Howard Bidmead. Judy Davey could see Howard ahead of her for a couple of miles and this was where he stayed. Howard came 157th in 1:28:03 and Judy 179th in 1:29:55.

Pippa Westall got off to a really good start and Judy had to follow her for the first section. Judy did pass her but Pippa had a fantastic run coming 206th in exactly 1:32. John Burgess was next back and was pleased with his time of 1:34:59 in 243rd which was similar to last year and Brent Dicks, who had been celebrating the Big 40 the previous night, was trying Bicton for the first time. He looked a lot older than 40 when he finished but nevertheless he had a great run under the circumstances. He was 259th in 1:36:18. Julie, Judy and Pippa made up Honiton’s Ladies’ team and were second ladies’ team overall.

?The Bicton Lite is 4� miles forming the start and finish section of the Blister. Several Honiton juniors took part. Sam Urquhart was first back for Honiton, seventh overall in 36:14. Layla Felgate was the first Honiton girl back, 10th overall just 21 seconds behind Sam. Henry Riddle had a cold and felt he could have done better but he still finished in 13th place in 38:59. Lydia Clapp was pleased with 20th in 41:53. Jake Harvey found the hills a challenge and was disappointed to be 45th in 48:31.

Adult member, Tracy Strawbridge, chose to tackle the Lite as she enjoys cheering her team mates home after completing her race together with a nice cup of tea. She was delighted to knock 10 minutes off her previous time coming 43rd in 48:01.