Honiton runners ran the eight mile Charmouth Challenge organised in aid of Charmouth School

Honiton runners ran the eight mile Charmouth Challenge organised in aid of Charmouth School.

Brian Charters led the Honiton group home in a time of 58:50 and overall 15th place. He was followed by Richard Harris who, having just played midwife to an alpaca, arrived just in time for the race. He obviously needed to get back in a hurry, too, as he knocked six minutes off last year's time with 1:04:22 and 36th place.

Bruce Strawbridge was next home, 61st in 68.23 with Steve Davey 65th in 68.48. Steve's wife Judy came in next, 99th in 73.06 having overtaken a suffering Guy Paddon who didn't enjoy the race at all but finished 107th in 73.42. Simon Hall was next home 154th in 79.52 while Tracey Strawbridge managed to knock four minutes off last year, finishing in 225th in 94.33 which should keep her on top of the points trophy.

Some of the juniors took part in the two and a half mile fun run. Patrick Moyse came 28th in 22:05, Jake Harvey came 34th in 22:43 and Katie Davey came 62nd in 25:07. Their positions were all very creditable as there were 225 finishers in this race.

lLast year's Feniton Fun Day was a washout due to bad weather so Nikki Campbell and Paul Davey decided to organise a race for the event. The 10k multi-terrain race was started by Olympic athlete and local girl Jo Pavey who, being five months pregnant, isn't racing at the moment.

The start was outside the football club and with Jo counting down, she sounded the air horn and the runners were off. This is the first time that Honiton has managed to get their top four runners to a race together and it was pleasing to see them at the head of the field.

James Denne set the pace from the start and, by the first mile, he already had a comfortable lead. Next came Kevin Hawker closely followed by Tim Legg with Brian Charters up with them too. The runners headed to Buckerell then sharp left to Curscombe and on to the muddy part which was very sticky in places. After that they reappeared in Cheriton where they did a loop and headed back to Feniton through the lanes and into the fields to the finish.

James came in at 38.42 followed by Kevin 39.30 with Tim third in 41.20. The ladies' race was a lot tighter and was eventually won by South West Road Runner Karen Cook in 47.46 who seems to get faster with age.

Next home was Honiton's Ceri Oak who is running well at the moment and was pipped to the post by under 30 seconds to finish in 48.09. Third lady was again from Honiton, Sarah Wheeler. She too had a great run and finished in 49.30. Further down the field was the battle between Steve Davey, Bruce Strawbridge and Guy Paddon who ended in that order. Honiton finishers were: James Denne 38.42; Kevin Hawker 39.30; Tim Legg 41.20; Brian Charters 42.57; Steve Davey 46.40; ,Julian Gigg 47.52; Ceri Oak 48.09; Bruce Strawbridge 48.31; Vernon Gillard 49.03; Sarah Wheeler 49.30; Guy Paddon 50.01; Gary Enticott; Judy Davey 51.10; John Burgess 53.01; Malcolm Hall 53.21; Laura Pyle 54.56; Nick Thorpe 55.24; Claire Pomeroy 56.25; Jennie Sleeman 56.39; Simon Hall 58.04; Sandra Thorpe 1.01.28; Joanne Davey 1.01. 47; Louise Saunders 1.02.14;

Klara Bodfish 1.03.06; Anne Ephraums 1.04.46; Olivia Higginson 1.07.47; Tony Whitely 1.08.21 and Tracey Strawbridge 1.09.04. Nikki and Paul would like to thank all the runners who entered for their support and Honiton Running Club's Paul Lowman, Ian Jeeves and John Burgess for the help they gave.

l Wednesday was the usual trip to Yeovilton for Honiton runners for the latest round of the 5k series. There were some good performances all through the field for the Honiton squad, led by James Denne who sped round in 16.25 to take third place. Tim Legg was not quite at his best but was still pleased with 11th in 17.26 followed by Milan Gok, 20th in 18.05.

There were only three Honiton ladies out this time of the 16 runners who made the trip. Ceri Oak was 74th with 20.58 with Judy Davey 92nd in 22.09 and Nikki Gigg 108th in 23.25. Two personal best times were set on the night. Richard Harris is trimming his times every race, this time by 25 seconds to go under 20 minutes for the first time to 19.38 for 53rd place.

Brent Dicks has also been improving every race this year and was rewarded with a 37 second improvement in 21.42 in 85th.

Other Honiton finishers: 41. Paul Davey 19.10; 50 Steve Davey 19.32; 55 Gary Enticott 19.45; 80 Thomas Dunn 21.28; 81 John Burgess 21.35; 107 Alan Nicholls 23.17; 112 Nick Bradley Carter 23.44; 114 Rod Warren 24.13.