ON Friday 28 June, the annual Erme Valley relays took place around undulating Ivybridge lanes with 94 teams from multiple clubs participating. It was a super blend of kids, adults and veterans competing on a 2.5-mile lap with plenty of up and down.

Teignbridge Trotter captains Ben & Debbie Elphick did a superb job of managing our runners and creating 9 teams of 4 doing the club proud. With many great performances, the highlights included quickest Trotter Oli Reynolds in his first race for the team, coming 7th in a stunning 13:05 and Chloe Olford, 87th as one of the leading ladies in 15:34.

A mention to Laura Law, who competed despite her daughter's fall in the warmup, smashing her elbow. Freya Morrissey in her first race as a trotter being triumphant in the ladies' Vet 35 team with Claire McKenna, Debbie Elphick, & Jo Randall. "Worth it for the wine" was the quote. The 3rd placed senior male team included Luke & Oli Reynolds, Tim Pratt, and Jake Gluyas-Harris. The grey-haired success included 1st Male vet 50 team of Roger Easterbrook, Phil (rapid) Reynolds, Jason Trevenen & Duncan Knight, plus 1st Male vet 60 of Alan Boone, Derek Skinner, Neil Rutley, & Tim Synge.

James Long raced the ClimbSouthWest Jurassic Coast 100km from Weymouth to Exmouth and brilliantly came first in 12:48:30. The arduous route included 10860 feet of climb, epic scenery, and the hazard of holiday makers aplenty. This caps a brilliant period of racing for him across multiple distances.

The Southwest Fell series had the Summer Solstice 10K race from Merivale last week. The 70 runners had a circular anti-clockwise course in stunning countryside including Staple Tor, Roos Tor and White Tor. Roger Easterbrook (7th) said "The long uphill start was tough like the Haytor Heller coming soon on July 20th, before easier undulating moorland.” The event is part of the 10-race SW fell series. The leader was too fast for his own navigation and the race was won by Tim Lenton of Axe Valley. Haytor Heller race places available online for the annual stunning moorland scenery 10K, a firm favourite in the calendar.

On Sunday 30, the Winding Paths Exe Estuary marathon took place. The marathon started on the beach in Budleigh Salterton, following the coast path to Exmouth. It continued along the seafront before picking up the path along the Exe Estuary to Topsham, coming back was hard in full sun and not much breeze!

The results were: 5.13.12 Tim Synge 10th, 5.13.49 Allen Taylor 11th, 5.13.50 Nigel Barnett 12th, 5.50.58 Ruth Johnson 14th 2nd lady, with Rob Faulkner dropping out through injury.