Last Sunday three Sidmouth Running Club members were on the start line of the Paris Marathon, writes Sarah Brown.

Lorraine McNulty was the first runner home, in a very quick time of 3:28, followed by Paul Mitchell and Aaron Smith who crossed the line together in 3:49, just earning Paul a very hard-earned personal best.

A little bit closer to home, and a little bit more windy and grey than the sunshine in Paris, six Sidmouth runners made their way to Taunton for the 31st Taunton Marathon and half marathon. Jo Earlam once again opted for the full marathon, and completed the two lap course in 4:21, ticking off marathon 38 out of 50 in the process.

In the half marathon, Matt Szala led the Sidmouth runners home, completing the on-road, slightly undulating course in an impressive 1:18, and earning himself 5th place overall. The course runs along country roads, and the occasional main road, around the outskirts of Taunton and is not always the most inspiring route - especially when a very strong wind picked up at the halfway point.

Colin Flood was the next Sidmouth runner home in 1:50, the third runner in his age category, in another strong race after his run in the Exe to Axe the weekend previous. John Doherty followed closely behind, finally breaking the two-hour mark with seconds to spare, and just ahead of Mick Allen, placing third in his age category in a time of 2:02. Sarah Brown completed the Sidmouth contingent after a long break from distance running and was just pleased to have finished and not to have been lapped by any of the two-lap marathoners!

Even closer to home, the Honiton Hippo saw the runners wallowing in lots of mud with Ian Walker emerging as the first Sidmouth runner in 1:10 followed by Zac Francis two minutes later, both of them making a welcome reappearance after a long break.

John Perratt and Bill Valentine both eventually finished but much later.

This was a strong weekend of runs for Sidmouth runners, and we wish good luck to all Sidmouth members competing in the London Marathon this weekend.