Castle Drogo is undergoing extensive alterations at the moment, but the 10-mile race went ahead as usual attracting a field of over 500 runners, writes John Perratt.

It is just a pity that it is just one week before the equally popular Bicton Blister and so a lot of our club runners have opted for that instead.

The Drogo though is a little bit special with a hairy descent down to Fingle Bridge from the start, a long stretch alongside the River Teign, a few hills thrown in for good measure and then back to the Fingle Bridge before tackling the famous Hunter’s Path back up to the Castle.

The view across the Teign Valley near the top would be breathtaking if it were not for the fact that you will certainly be out of oxygen at that point. The finish though is nearby and a well deserved medal.

Milan Goc in 38th position assured us that he ran all the way and finished in a time of 1.11.38, but the honours of the day must go to Linda Hawkins who ran with her daughter Jade and they finished together in 1.56.03.

We haven’t seen them both for some time, but undaunted they have also entered Bicton this weekend.

Between them were John Keast (1.28.07), who has put his bike away for the winter to concentrate on running, Alan Colwill (1.33.35) and David Welsh (1.49.28). No doubt we will also see the three of them at Bicton. Good for them!

We also heard from Lorraine McNulty this week. She left the area shortly after joining the club but still proudly wears the club vest. She took part in the Gosport Half Marathon at the weekend finishing in an impressive 1.32. Her target is the Paris Marathon next Spring and we hope to meet up with her again in the Bath Half before that.