Saturday saw a trio of runners travel to the Doone Valley for the Exmoor Trail Ultra which is 30.4 miles of steep climbs and challenging terrain. Bev Collins and Andy Higham completed in 7.13 hours with Georgina Brice taking 8.53 on this tough course.
Peter Stretton was in Shepton Mallet for their 10K which he finished in 62 minutes with his granddaughter Kaya taking first female finisher in the junior 2K event. Following in grandad’s footsteps, well done!
It was off to the Black Mountains for a couple of members who took part in the OMM Marathon event. This is a self-navigated, self-provisioning 36 hour challenge where 2 man teams run between checkpoints and rack up many mountain miles with a little bit of camping in between. Ed Bailey and Adrian Edwards were part of different 2 man teams who completed this very challenging event.
Tanya Lewis took 1st place in her category in the Dartington Duathlon with a great 2.49 time for this run/bike/run event which was undulating, scenic and very windy.
The main event for Running Forever this weekend was the Herepath Half which is organised by the Club and runs along this ancient drove route. Most members are involved in organising and marshaling the event but we do let a few escape to take part. Our first member home was Daniel Talbot in 1.40 with Jo Carritt hot on his heels with her 1.43 finish which earned her the first female finisher prize. James Beach and James Nicholas had 1.45 and 1.51 times respectively. Lee Macklin trotted home in 2.16 with our final finisher Val Perigo crossing the line in 2.53 to collect her race souvenir; no medals, it was reusable coffee mugs this year.
This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Eastleigh, Boston, Minehead, Upton House, Northala Fields, Croxteth Hall, Burnham, Street and Teignmouth. Thirty two took part in the local Longrun Meadow event where Tarun Solaki, Richard Mackrory and Darren Purchase had PB runs.