Organisers are looking for eager athletes to try to Beat the Bus on the annual charity run from Otterton to Sidmouth.

The race was invented by Bill Valentine from the running club, when, a few years ago, he was travelling on the 157 Bus from Exmouth.

He decided to get off at Otterton and run home the rest of the way, but when he turned into the Triangle in Sidmouth, he was surprised to see the same bus arriving at the same time.

Mr Valentine realised, by going up Peak Hill and down on to The Esplanade and avoiding the longer route the bus took through Newton Poppleford, he could beat it on foot to Sidmouth.

This planted the idea of a race, and after Stagecoach agreed to sponsor the race, the Beat the Bus Run was born.

Originally, the race was used to help Sidmouth Living with Cancer buy a new minibus, and now the funds go to its ongoing maintenance and running costs.

This year’s race will be held on Wednesday, June 27, starting when the 157 bus leaves The Green in Otterton at 6.27pm.

The run is all off-road, and takes the runners to the top of Peak Hill, where they turn and run back to Otterton, hoping to beat the bus on its return journey, a round trip of about 9km.

The Herald has donated the Colin Craig Memorial Trophy to the event, which each year is presented to the winner of the race.

? To enter, download an entry form from the Sidmouth Running Club’s website at www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk.