Nine of the usual faces followed in convoy from Sidmouth to Totnes on Sunday, leaving behind FolkWeek and all its jollities to run in the Totnes 10k.

The race took the runners around and along the River Dart, through woods and the railway track and finished back at the start in Borough Park, where they had the use of all the facilities at the Totnes Leisure Centre.

Refreshments were also available, including the famous selection of Trotter cakes, which my husband and twins were happily tucking into, as I left to join my team mates.

From an entry of 570 there were 531 finishers, nine of us from Sidmouth Running Club - seven of our boys, George Chalstrey, Brian Gosling, Johns Perratt and Podmore, Andy Shearer, Bill Valentine and young Kyle Hall, in his first 10k race, plus two of us girls, Lesley Roberts and Corinna Stephens.

John Perratt was not only our first man home, but ran the race in 49.47, beating the course age group record for the third time in consecutive years. Must be the cash incentive working its magic.

Next was George Chalstrey, who doesn’t look like he has started, when he’s actually finished. He had been warned of a rather large ‘hill’ at 1.5 miles but, unfortunately, the information wasn’t quite right and an even larger ‘hill’ appeared at 3.5 miles.

Undeterred he crossed the line in 50.19, closely followed by Andy Shearer, who was hot on George’s heels throughout the race and was eventually only 18 seconds behind him at the end.

After three of our boys finished, I came next in 53.34 - and won a cup for first FV40 and a bottle of wine, which made my husband happy… and Ros� too, his favourite.

He tells me that if this is the shape of things to come, I must run in all the races!

Bill Valentine ran a strong race, finishing next in a great time of 57.17, with his sister and friends waiting for him to pour the tea.

Just behind and battling it out right to the finish line were Brian Gosling and John Podmore. Kyle was not far behind them, followed by Corinna and all this time Brian’s wife, Sheila, was cheering us all along the way. Thanks for your support, Sheila.

A really lovely day was had by all, but especially when John Perratt gave my twins a running race at the end, as we had missed the Fun Run, so they were not left out, he ran them round a self-made course… they’ve been talking about it all day. Thanks, Uncle John.

The weather was just right and, with a slight breeze in the air, the Sidmouth Runners ran proud and strong for the team, preparing itself for this weekend’s main event, the Festival Run, which we are all looking forward to. There is also a Fun Run for the ‘little ones.’

If you would like an application form for the Fun Run, I will be taking entries at the start but, if you would like one prior to the race, please email me lesley.roberts11@btinternet.com just �1 per entry and finishers will receive a prize.

Otherwise, the Main Event starts at 11am, on Sunday, August 8, at the bottom of Cliff Fields, Peak Hill, and entries will be accepted on the day.