The run exe 5k is a series of races by city runs Exeter and is raced in a great traffic free and pancake flat footpaths and cycle tracks around Exwick Playing Fields and the River Exe Flood Relief. This event is suitable for people chasing PB's along with novice runners.

Being on the edge of the Exe floodplain, mill industries were important in Exwick. A leat from the Exe was dug before the Domesday Book was compiled. Other industries formerly in the area include clothmaking, aeroparts and baking. Manufacture of wooden flooring continues to this day.

Five Trotters took part. Alex Sparks was the first Trotter home 8: 16.19: a new PB. Steve Weeks 65: 19.05. Chole Weeks 77: 19.36 also with a new PB and 1st Fsen. Benjamin Thorn not to be out done also set a new PB. 98: 20.36. Callum Price 161: 26.38. There where 175 finishers.

Chole quoted: "Tuesday 6th August some trotters took part in the 5th 5k of the run exe series. It was a warm evening with a bit of headwind in areas, but clearly a good night for some fast times. “It was a really enjoyable evening, with an even better turnout. With the warm conditions, we weren’t expecting a quick time but in such a quick field we all worked together alongside some great pacers.” The aim of the night was to get back in time to watch the men’s 1500m Olympic final.

Alex also quoted: Finished in 16:19 which I’m super happy with especially as it was quite hot :)

On Saturday August 17th Mark Wotton took on the 10k in the sunflower stride. This was an evening event starting at 17.00 to avoid the heat of the day, and see the sunflowers at their best. After meeting in the large grassy carpark just outside the lovely county town of Dorchester, runners weaved their way through the mighty sunflower plants before joining bridleways to take them to the stunning Maiden Castle, Europe’s largest Hill Fort. Maiden Castle is one of the largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Britain. Its vast multiple ramparts enclose an area the size of 50 football pitches, and the site was home to several hundred people in the Iron Age (800 BC–AD 43). Both 5k and 10k routes involved a fair bit of elevation, but where rewarded with outstanding views to Weymouth in the South, and Hardy’s Monument to the West. The Sunflower Trail donates a considerable sum each year to the Dorchester Hospital Charity.

Mark quoted. It was a great run, very tough and hilly not sure of any times yet I did 1.16 on my watch , a bit over 10k as well, it goes around in a big circle through fields and country lanes and then back over the top of maiden newton fort back into the sunflower farm and zig zag through the flowers to the finish , and you get a nice sunflower medal 🌼

In fact Mark was 92: in a time of 1.17.05:46 there was 224 racers.

This year's Sunflower Stride was opened by renowned journalist and Cerne Abbas resident Kate Adie