Runners across East Devon are preparing for a special event that takes place on the second Sunday of April.

Sunday, April 8, will see the 16th staging of the ‘JP’s Exe to Axe’ meeting, a grade B fell race organised by Sidmouth Running Club under UK Athletic Rules and the auspices of the Fell Running Association.

The race starts at the Foxes Hole car park on the Exmouth seafront 10am and follows the South West Coast Path for 20 miles or so and finishes at the Esplanade at Seaton.

In 2004, the race started from Seaton and finished in Exmouth, but since 2005 it has started from Exmouth.

Originally the distance was just over 20 miles, but a landslip in June 2012 on the outskirts of Seaton has led to a detour, which means the distance is now nearer 22 miles.

The race has been renamed JP’s Exe to Axe in memory of John Perratt, founding member and long-term treasurer of Sidmouth Running Club, and a huge contributor to the sport throughout East Devon.

The race is for individuals and relay teams; dogs are not permitted. There are three handover/checkpoints at Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth Sailing Club and Branscombe Mouth. There will be drink stations at these points and a back marker, but no course marshals. The route follows the coastal path all the way so keep the sea on your right and follow the acorn signs.

Transport will be provided from the finish to the start, but only before the race, leaving Seaton at 8.30am and on condition that a place is booked in advance.

Please indicate on the entry form if this is required so that we can cater for numbers. Individual entries on the day will only be taken at the start and we cannot supply transport after the race. Hand baggage or kit can be transported from the start to the finish if required. There will be no team entries on the day. There is a time limit set for the event of six hours with the cut-off times being: Budleigh Salterton (1hr 10mins), Sidmouth (2hrs 45mins) and Branscombe (4hrs 45mins).

Runners who fail to make the cut-off times will be withdrawn from the race.

There will be an earlier start at 9am for runners who would like to take part, but who would find these cut-offs challenging.

There will be mementos for all finishers and teams, though most runners come for the views. Further information will be sent via email to all entries.

To get an entry form and indeed find out more about the event, visit the Sidmouth Running Club website at www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk

In terms of record times for the event, a new course record was set 12 months ago when Exmouth Harriers runner Michael Robinson completed the event in a time of 2:53:15.

The best time to date for a female runner was also set last year when Mercia Fell Runners member Anna Bartlett completed the run in a time of 3:21:33.