SUNDAY saw the sixth running of the Herepath Half trail race.

The 13.7-mile run takes place on the Herepath which was an ancient trade and communications route dating from the 9th Century and takes the runners over the highest point on the Blackdown Hills.

168 runners set off from Thurlbear School on a chilly but dry day to take on the challenge; with marshalling and support along the route provided by RFRC members and other local runners.

First runner home was Matt Clist, of Axe Valley Runners, whose blistering 1.28.56 equalled the course record.

First female home was RFRC member Jo Carritt in 1.43.19.

All finishers received an engraved reuseable coffee mug and access to the most amazing selection cakes provided by the Thurlbear School PTA.

Running Forever RC chairman and Herepath Race organiser Peter Hall presented a cheque for £1,000 from race proceeds to the PTA.

Keep reading for more news from around our running clubs...

THE main event for Running Forever this weekend was the 13.7-mile Herepath Half which is organised by the Club and runs along this ancient droving route up and over The Blackdowns.

Most members are involved in organising and marshalling the event.

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 finishes, respectively.

Lee Macklin trotted home in 2.16 with the club’s final finisher Val Perigo crossing the line in 2.53 to collect her race souvenir; no medals, it was reusable coffee mugs this year.

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 grand-daughter, Kaya, taking first female finisher in the junior 2K event.

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 two-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 two-man teams who completed this very challenging event.

Tanya Lewis took first 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.

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.

If you’d like to start running, then register for Running Forever’s Beginners Group which starts on Wednesday, November 14.

Complete a form on the website www.runningforever.club/beginners-group or just come along at 6.15pm on the night.

Sessions are led by English Athletics registered coaches and run leaders and are aimed at people with no running experience, those returning after a break or people who don’t feel confident enough to run with the main Club just yet. 

All are welcome!

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ASHTON Court played host to British Legion’s 5k Bristol Poppy Run last Sunday and Chris Hewett and Helen Hewett represented Wellington Weavers Running Club for this very worthy cause. 

The undulating route covers the estate and Helen and Chris finished in an impressive time of 29 minutes.

Prior to this, and having earlier realised they had another event the same weekend, Saturday saw Chris and Helen participate in the Warmley Forest Park 10k. 

Helen said: “Chris and I thought we were going to run a flat course but it transpired after the first lap of two that it was very hilly as well as bitterly cold.”

Despite the challenging course, Chris finished in 50:49, sixth in the VM40 category, while Helen finished in 60:02, eighth in the VF40 category.

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THREE Hydro Harriers competed in race two of the nine-series Weston Prom five-miler last Thursday night. 

In blustery conditions, Ian Salter was first Harrier home in 32.17 (51st from 312). 

In 67th spot was Chris Jones (33.14) followed by Mark Foss, just dipping under the 35 minute mark in 106th place.

Despite a winter blast arriving over the country at the weekend, the Hydro Harriers were still well-represented at Longrun Meadow Parkrun.

Ian Salter was first home in 19mins 42sec. Chris Jones was 15 seconds back, with Andy White managing 20.23. 

At Valentine’s, Ilford, Rowland Lyons paid for a poor start and consequently was home in 24.02.

Leigh Hunt represented the Hydro Harriers at last Saturday’s Exmoor Half Marathon Trail Run. 

On a cold and blustery day, he covered the total distance of 15.5 miles in 3h 10m 1s, netting him 34th place.

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THE past two weeks have seen runners from the Just Run Taunton group head toward the south coast and also locally to the Blackdown Hills. 

Four runners took part in the Herepath Half, with the first person back for the Just Run group, in 50th place, being Ashley Stewart in a time of 1:56:50.

Next home was Julie Gilbert in 2:41:07 followed by Mandy Clements in 2:41:08 with the final runner, Donna Adams, finishing the course in 2:53:37. 

The previous week saw the sun shine brightly for the Great South Run.

The Great South Run is an annual 10-mile (16.09 km) road running race which takes place in Portsmouth, providing an intermediate distance between the 10 kilometre and the half marathon (21.097 km) runs. 

Launched in 1990, it is part of the Great Run series created by former British athlete Brendan Foster. Originally held in Southampton, the race moved to its current course after the first edition.

The conditions were warm as over 20,000 runners took part in the event with the first runner home in under 47 minutes.

Meanwhile, the masses took in the views and the crowds around the course and saw Alison Usher-Davidson crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 1:26:00. Following behind was Ade Marchment in a tiring 1:33:20. 

Just Runners have also been impressing at the local Longrun Meadow Parkrun on Saturday mornings, with PBs for Duncan Shaun, Paul Main, Suzie Daw and Donna Adams.

The tourists have kept their touring to a minimum, visiting Minehead and Street.

Just Run meet at Enfield car park every Tuesday at 6.30pm. Sessions are also held on a Thursday and Sunday - please see the Just Run Facebook page for more information.