IT’S well known that the good folk of Running Forever love a party and this weekend gave them the perfect excuse to run amok with the cake, cider and celebrations as club chairman Peter Hall joined the 100 Marathon Club.

From the balmy sunshine of London in 2007 through a further 15 road races, 34 trail marathons and a stonking 49 ultras, the final chapter in this tale took him to the slightly damp environs of Bodmin Moor for the Cornish Marathon - and he didn’t go alone.

No fewer than 20 other club members and quite a few supporters joined Hall on the tough course to help him celebrate.

Starting and finishing in the village of Pensilva, runners take on Cornish hills providing stunning views and past the iconic Jamaica Inn.

First runner in was Matt Blee, who stormed home in 3.35 with Sam Warton hot on his heels a mere 18 seconds later to take the third female spot.

Martin Webb finished in 3.39 to collect his medal and pastie.

Andy Burgess (3.55), Simon Denson (3.57) and John Martin (4.06) were then home and not very dry.

Chris Gunn chose to avail himself of a celebratory pint at The Jamaica Inn which gave him wings for the next 10 miles and a 4.15 finish.

Bev Collins was next over the line to take third in her category with 4.18.

There was much cheering as marathon maestro Peter Hall collected his medal in 4.21 with Damon Butler (4.25) on his tail.

Squelching over the line in 4.27 were Andy Higham and John Hunt, followed by Chris Reah in 4.29 and Ian Bawler in 4.30.

Sally Tuer and Brian Bandyszewski recorded 4.34 finishes which earned Tuer a trophy as second in her category.

Dave Marshall was next finisher in 4.35. Sandra Williams (4.50) must have felt like she was being chased down the hill by the Beast of Bodmin but it was only Rob Murr who finished a minute behind her.

Lee Macklin was Forever’s final finisher in 5.08.

Tanya Lewis had to pull up after 17 miles with a hip injury but was able to party afterwards with many club members who adjourned to their favourite hostelry for yet more cake and cider.

Hall’s achievement is amazing and the whole club is incredibly proud of his achievement.

Somerset County Gazette:

TON UP: Peter Hall after completing his marathon century.

A contingent of members headed for Bideford for their popular 10-miler which was also on Sunday.

First over the line was Scott Welch in 1.14; Kate Reed (1.21) and Simon Rowland (1.23) were next with Trevor Stow close behind in 1.24.

Luke Thorne collected his medal in 1.25, with Helen Needs (1.27) hot on his heels. Geoff Welchman was home in 1.29, followed by Carl Moppett (1.34) and the club’s final finisher, Cathie Welchman, in 1.46.

Club members Hannah Taunton and Kate Drew (in their TAC kit) took 60 and 62 minutes, respectively, which earned Taunton second female finisher and first in her category; Drew was second in her category to round off a successful weekend.

This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Plym Valley, Killerton, Weymouth, Buckingham, Burnham and Exmouth.

Twenty-six took part in the local Longrun Meadow event.

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BIRTHDAY boy, Hydro Harriers’ Chris Jones, celebrated with a time of 20min 7sec at Longrun Meadow, last Saturday.

Brian Stenson managed a self-declared disappointing 22.01, while Rowland Lyons returned a nondescript 23.42.

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Somerset County Gazette:

TEAM: Taunton Running Club at the Bideford 10-mile race.

TAUNTON Running Club’s ‘All Blacks’ were out in force at the annual Bideford 10-miler.

Run on a looped course, they headed out on the B3233 towards Yelland and then enjoyed the beautiful views of the River Torridge estuary as they headed back along the Tarka Trail to Bideford - one of the most scenic runs in the South-West.

The weather was kind although a little humid and many set personal bests for 10 miles.

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JUST Run member Andy Simmons took on the renowned Eurafrica Trail challenge - five days, three countries, three races, two camps in Southern Spain and Northern Africa.

Simmons’ challenge began with a gentle jog up the Rock of Gibraltar, climbing 1200 metres over a two-mile distance.

He made it to the top in just under 30 minutes.

Stage 2 was a tough and technical trail course through the hills of Alcornocales over 15 miles, achieved in three-and-a-half hours.

The last stage was the most challenging. Crossing the Mediterranean into Morocco, 13 technical miles in Jbel Moussaof with an elevation of 5,000 feet awaited the competitors.

Just over four hours from starting, Simmons crossed the finish line.

The Bideford 10 Mile Race of road and track along Instow seafront and the Tarka Trail attracted seven Just Run members.

Finishing in 102nd place and first back for JRT was Ashley Stewart in a time of 1:12:06 (PB) closely followed by Paul Main three places behind in 1:12:13.

First lady back was Julie Gilbert in a time of 1:24:04 with Suzie Daw hot on her heels in 1:24:16.

Fifth back was Haydn North in 1:33:33, while Liz Sorensen and Donna Adams completed the course in 1:47:48 and 1:50:05, respectively, with Adams recording a personal best for the distance.

Just Runners have also been impressing at the local Longrun Meadow parkrun on Saturday mornings with PBs for Ashley Stewart and Chris Melley.

Just Run meet at Enfield car park every Tuesday at 6.30pm. Sessions are also held on a Thursday and Sunday – you can visit the Just Run Facebook page for more information.