Honiton Running Club’s very own Honiton Hippo took place last Sunday, writes Judy Davey.

The terrain was extremely muddy and even though runners waded through the River Otter right at the end of the race giving them a brief wash, they were still plastered almost from head to foot as the field out of the river seemed to be the muddiest part of the whole run. Runners were taken through woods, fields, paths and roads all managing to boast a hill or two. Half way through the race runners are taken down a steep hill before entering the Land Rover Experience just to climb all the way to the top of it again! Runners are then treated to a Land Rover Experience of their own with the ground pre churned by 4-wheel drive vehicles.

The race was won by local Axe Valley Runner Tim Lenton in a time of 50 minutes 21 seconds and the first lady was Ellie Sutcliffe of Exmouth Harriers in 58:42.

Although many Honiton Running Club members were involved with organisation and marshaling, some did manage to run. First home was Ian Stewart in 58:15 in 10th place. Amazingly the next two in for Honiton were both two of the older juniors with Henry Riddle coming 15th in 1:01:39 and Findlay Fuller 19th in 1:02:05. Suzanne Spiller was the first Honiton lady home coming third lady overall in 26th place in 1:04:22.

Other Honiton runners’ results: 21st Jarrod Brown 1:02:05, 34th Richard Harris 1:06:43, 45th Tom Dunn 1:09:05, 46th Vernon Gillard 1:09:21, 47th Simon Spiller 1:09:45, 72nd Helen Davy 1:16:42, 75th Pippa Westall 1:17:04, 77th Sarah Warren 1:17:55, 87th Esme Wilson 1:20:11, 105 Hayden Adamson 1:25:04, 107 Pete Lyus 1:25:11, 110th Jo Jo Davey 1:26:49, 117th Carol Turnham 1:28:55, 130th Wendy Le Masurier 1:34:44, 138th Wendy Williams 1:39:43. There were 171 finishers.