Eighteen Sidmouth Running Club members turned out to support the 11th year of the Otter Rail and River Run, writes Terry Bewes.

Race organiser Jo Earlam, and the Tipton Playing Field Association, pulled out all the stops to put on an extremely enjoyable event.

The race starts in the playing field before crossing the road and then following the path beside the river heading towards Newton Poppleford.

It then crosses the river to Harpford and into Harpford woods to the old railway bridge.

At this point you climb the steps and follow the old railway track back to Tipton then onto Sargent Mill over the bridge and head off towards Fluxton, along a lane heading back towards Tipton, across a field and bridge to enter the top of the playing field and sprint to the finish.

It is an undulating off-road run with plenty of challenges to overcome.

The club members excelled themselves this year with nine prize winners.

Naomi Garrick was first F45, David Millen first M70 and Christine Farnham was first F55.

Gail Goldsmith was second in the F65 category while, in the M60, Jon Ball was second and Tim Swarbrick third and John Sharples was third in the M65.

Graham Hill was third in the M50 and Theo Burgess was third in the senior men’s category.

In the 10k run, Graham Hill finished ninth overall in 41:22, Theo Burgess was 11th in 42:11 and other Sidmouth times were: Naomi Garrick, 53:15; Christine Farnham, 55:57; Karen Farnham, 56:38; Jon Ball, 56:43; Tim Swarbrick, 56:57; David Millen, 58:11; John Sharples, 59:03; Dave Wright, 1:02:00; Debbie Marriott, 1:02:26; Don Cawthera, 1:02:27; Gail Goldsmith, 1:04:14; Milly Frankpitt, 1:05:49; Richard Hedger, 1:06:25; Tony Velterop, 1:06:43; Jenny Bentley, 1:08:25; Sue Cunningham. 1:18:34.

A total of 184 completed the run.