On the recommendation of Debbie Marriot and Don Cawthera (aka Shrek and Princess Fiona 2015), two other members of Sidmouth Running Club, Terry Bewes and Helen Palmer, travelled on Saturday to Totnes for the ‘Delicious Dart’ run – billed as ‘A food fest on the run’, writes Helen Palmer.

The event certainly did not disappoint! The start was at Totnes Pavillion and runners were sent in waves with staggered times to run either 10 miles to Dittisham or 15 miles to Dartmouth.

Along the route were twelve food and drink stops. Debbie and Don had raved about this element of the run and it lived up to the billing. The start featured coffee, fruit juice and flapjacks and the first stop after only a mile was laden with mini savoury croissants and beer! So the theme was set.

There followed cheese and artisan bread, thai fish cakes, pies, rhubarb pavlova, pasties, paella at the Ferry Boat Inn (the 10 mile finish) – ice cream, chilli chocolate, crab pate and fish and chips at the finish at Dartmouth and a goodie bag to take home.

Oh and I forgot to mention the ale, beer, wine, dappa (Devon grappa), ginger beer, mead, cider and more beer to wash down each bite sized delicacy. There were non- alcoholic alternatives but we all coped admirably with the food/alcohol/running combination.

And all of this was achieved wearing fancy dress! The theme this year was ‘Under the sea’ and so three divers and a mermaid from Sidmouth delighted in the stunning spring sunshine – divers shedding their masks, a few air tanks and some blue tresses along the way! There were some wonderfully inventive costumes including a 15 person yellow submarine, a sea gull and numerous lobsters. The event is run to raise money for the CHICKS children’s cancer charity. The entrance fee goes to them and the pubs, Sharpham Estate winery, Riverford field Kitchen, Brewers etc get to show case their magnificent local produce.

Oh and I almost forgot to mention the run itself! The trail was mostly off-road, along the River Dart to Dittisham, by Ferry to the other bank and Agatha Christie’s Greenway House. Then, along the other side of the river to Dartmouth, and a return ferry to the town itself, to collect belongings. It was not easy running with many stiles, mud and huge hills, but the views along the river were stunning and crowned an excellent day out. Perhaps a Club outing next year?