Winding Paths staged the Exe Estuary 50K, Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday 10th July. The multi terrain races took the runners along the Exe Estuary and on to the South West coast path.

All the races started and finished at Budleigh Salterton by the beach, before following SWCP to Exmouth. At this point the Ultra and Marathon runners ran parallel with the Exe Estuary, passing through the villages Lympstone and Topsham. At this point, an aid station was reached, whereby a U - turn was made before retracing their steps back to the finish.
The Half Marathon runners ran along Exmouth promenade and onto the aid station at the Imperial Recreation Ground. An about turn and back to the finish.

Weather conditions were not great before start time with wind and rain, but shortly after the off, the sun popped out. The wet conditions caused sections of the path to be very treacherous in places.

There was a good turn out from the Teignbridge Trotters. Sarah Pike, Debbie Proctor and Ben Elphick took part in the Half. Sarah was first Trotter home finishing 18th in a great time of 02:19:34. In joint 19th was Debbie and Ben, holding hands as they crossed the line in 02:21:13. There were 101 finishers.

Five Club runners took on the Marathon distance. Roger Hayes and Nigel Barnett finished in joint 12th, posting a handy time of 04:26:54. Graydon Widdicombe ticked off another marathon, claiming 24th place in a time of 04:56:37. Derek Skinner, running in his 47th marathon, crossed the line in 05:02:17 and 25th place and Travis Wood clocked a time of 05:06:08 to finish 27th.

There were 52 finishers.

Ruth Johnson travelled to the West Midlands to take part in the LDWA Hallow – 12 Parish Challenge. Billed as a walk/run event in which there were five distances on offer – 10, 14, 18, 26 & 40 miles. The shorter distances were marked but the Marathon and Ultra events were self-navigating!

Starting in the picturesque village of Hallow, the routes passed through the parishes of Grimley, Little Witley, Hillhampton, Shrawley, Astley & Dunley, Abberley, Great Witley, Shelsey Beauchamp, Martley, Wichenford & Broadheath. The routes were chiefly off road and passed through the best countryside Worcester had to offer. There were six aid stations, all well stocked and a hot meal for all finishers at the end.

Ruth completed the 40 mile event, although the final mile count was nearer 43 due to a few wrong turns!! Ruth completed the course in 11 hours 45 mins. A fantastic achievement.

The Otter Rail & River Run was held on Saturday 10^th July, organised by the Tipton St John Playing Field Association & Sidmouth Running Club.

Andy Distin travelled to the Otter Valley to take part in this scenic off-road 10k. The underfoot conditions were very muddy in certain parts of the course.

The playing fields in Tipton St John staged the start and finish of the race. The runners followed footpaths and rights of way downstream alongside the River Otter, through Harpford Woods and along the old Sidmouth Railway. They then headed back towards Tipton, through fields to Fluxton and along tracks to the village.

The weather conditions were very muggy at race time. This didn’t deter Andy, as he competed the tough test in 01:19:28 to finish 188^th.

There were 216 entrants.

Race winner was Toby Garrick, finishing in great of 36:00.

Kurt Read took part in the Dukeries 40 miler loop event n Nottinghamshire. A 30 mile race was also available. The event took place in the heart of Sherwood Forest along the Robin Hood Way National Trail. The start and finish was at Walesby Sports & Social Club.

The waymarked paths and trails passed charming lodges, through Cresswell Crags, and skirted the Wellbeck Estate. Then onto Clumber Park, through peaceful farmland , before looping back, passing by Thoresby Estate, before returning to Sherford Forest. The 40 miler passed 'The Major Oak', the oldest oak tree in Britain.

Kurt ran with his good friend Baz, who happened to be a doctor! Kurt has Type 1 diabetes and up to the 30 mile point, all was going well. But then Kurt had a hypo and again at 39 miles. That's where the doctor came into play! Kurt managed to complete the distance in one piece thankfully. Unbelievably Kurt finished in 37^th place in a time of 07:25:03. What guts Kurt has shown? There were 113 finishers.